Meadow Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis)

Meadow Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis)

Meadow Blazing Star brings vertical drama right when late summer needs it most. Tall spikes of rich purple flowers open from the top down, holding color for weeks and pulling the eye upward through the planting. This species is especially known for the sheer number of monarchs and other butterflies it attracts during peak migration. When it’s in bloom, the stems are often dotted with wings from morning through evening. The flowers are dense with nectar, and the timing couldn’t be better: late August into September, when resources start thinning out.

Compared to some other blazing stars, Liatris ligulistylis is taller and more commanding, with broader flower heads and a presence that holds its own among big grasses and late-season perennials.

Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Soil: Medium, well-drained
Height: 4–6 feet
Spread: 1–2 feet, clump-forming
Zones: 3–8
Bloom time: August through September

Wildlife Value
Meadow Blazing Star is a major late-season nectar source, especially for monarch butterflies during fall migration, as well as native bees and other pollinators. It’s a standout for supporting insects when timing matters most.

Blooms Alongside
Prairie ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata), Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), Sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum), Showy Goldenrod (Solidago species)

For more information, please check out our sizes, pricing and ordering page.