Dense Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Last reviewed: August 2026
Liatris spicata (Marsh Blazingstar) is a native New Jersey wildflower that produces striking purple flower spikes from July through September. This adaptable prairie perennial attracts bees, butterflies, and moths while tolerating various growing conditions.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Dense Blazing Star as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, CO, CT and 33 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, moths
Deer
Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)
Before you buy
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Marsh blazingstar produces tall spikes of bright purple flowers that bloom from top to bottom in summer and fall. This native perennial forms neat clumps with grass-like foliage and creates striking vertical accents in the landscape.
Growing Dense Blazing Star
Grow Dense Blazing Star in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Dense Blazing Star is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- May need staking in windy locations
- Foliage dies back completely in winter
Wildlife value
Host plant for bleeding flower moth.
The dense flower spikes are magnets for bees, butterflies, and moths throughout the long blooming period. Seeds provide food for goldfinches and other birds in fall and winter.
Common questions
- When does Marsh Blazingstar bloom?
- Liatris spicata blooms from July through September, producing dense purple flower spikes that open from top to bottom.
- What pollinators does Liatris spicata attract?
- Marsh Blazingstar attracts bees, butterflies, and moths. The dense flower spikes provide excellent nectar sources for these pollinators during late summer.
- Where is Liatris spicata native?
- Liatris spicata is native to eastern North America, including New Jersey, where it naturally occurs in wet meadows and marshes.
- What growing conditions does Marsh Blazingstar prefer?
- This adaptable wildflower grows best in full sun to partial sun and tolerates a wide range of moisture conditions from wet to dry soils.
- Is Dense Blazing Star toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Dense Blazing Star as toxic to livestock.
- Is Dense Blazing Star HOA-friendly?
- Dense Blazing Star is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Dense Blazing Star? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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