For a dramatic vertical accent in the summer pollinator garden, you can’t go wrong with blazing star. There are over 40 species of this member of the Asteraceae family, all featuring grass-like foliage, with tall spikes of flowers in hues ranging from red to purple. Liatris spicata, AKA dense blazing star or marsh blazing star (pictured), has showy flower spikes of tufted purple blooms. As the latter common name suggests, L. spicata is the most moisture-tolerant of the species, preferring sunny, well-drained spots.( At the SBG, you’ll spot it near the Monarch Waystation.)
Along with being aesthetically pleasing to us, the blossoms of blazing star are especially attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Flower spikes bloom sequentially from the top down, making nectar available for a long period. Scientists from the Xerces Society and their native seed nursery partners are investigating the role of chemical cues in attracting monarch butterflies to Liatris from considerable distances away. And it’s not just the nectar that draws the pollinators in–the caterpillars of larval forms of the liatris flower moth (Schinia sanguinea) feed on the flowers and seeds, and the larval form of the liatris borer moth (Carmenta anthracipennis) eat the stems. The seeds are especially relished by songbirds such as goldfinches.
Summer’s all too short–why not celebrate it to the utmost with a real blaze of glory?
Photo: Jen Neal
