(Liatris spicata ‘Marsh’)
Marsh Blazing Star is a native clump forming perennial flower that commonly grows in moist meadows and on the margins of marshes in the mid western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-5' tall and features 6-12” spear shaped spiked heads that are covered in 1” feathery purple flowers that rest on firm leafy flower stalks which protrude from a tuft of 12” green grass like narrow leaves. This plant can be grown in containers, it attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, can be used as a cut flower, is drought resistant, makes potpourri, and has medicinal uses!
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General Information
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Germination
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Seedlings
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Harvesting
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Seed Saving
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Medicinal
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Companion Planting
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Other Uses
Genus: Liatris
Species: spicata
Variety: Marsh Blazing Star
Also Known As: Dense Blazing-Star, Florist Gayfeather, Button Snakewort
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Introduced into: Austria, France, Norway, Poland, Transcaucasus.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): July to August
Sow Depth: Press into soil surface
Light: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Suitability: Tolerate: Drought, Clay Soil
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. The flowers of Marsh Blazing Star attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It also acts as a forage for birds.
Containers?: Yes.
Maintenance: Low
Height: 30-60”
Spacing: 15-24”
USDA Zone: 3-8
Produces: 6-12” spear shaped spiked heads that are covered in 1” feathery purple flowers that rest on firm leafy flower stalks which protrude from a tuft of 12” green grass like narrow leaves.
Companion Planting
Problems
Suggested Varieties
(Echinacea purpurea ‘Purple’)
Purple Coneflower is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in moist meadows, woods, and prairies throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-4' and features stiff stems, narrow hairy leaves, and 3-4” flower heads with drooping purplish pink petals and a spiny orange center cone. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, has medicinal uses, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower!