Photo of Liatris aspera flower by Prairie Nursery

Photo by Prairie Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Liatris aspera

Also Known As

  • Button Snakeroot
  • Gayfeather
  • Rough Blazing Star
  • Tall Blazing Star

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 24"-36"
  • W: 12"-18"

planting zones

  • 3a-9b

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Liatris aspera plant details

Liatris aspera is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In fall and summer purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - occasional water. Does well in acidic, average and gritty soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Liatris aspera

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: asteraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in fall and summer

GROWING CONDITIONS for Liatris aspera

USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - occasional
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: acidic, average and gritty

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This seemingly modest plant provides a late summer surprise when it erupts into blazing wands of lavender. Prized for its luxuriant flower stalks, Rough Blazingstar (Liatris aspera) grows in super-dry sandy soils to well-drained loams. Makes an excellent dried flower, and goldfinches love the seeds! Hardy to Zones 3 - 8.
The tall sturdy spikes of this Liatris quickly develop white pearl-like buds that open to clusters of lavender flowers. No staking is required for this beautiful native clump-forming cormous perennial. Plant it at the back of the border in small to large groupings for a wonderful effect and the butterflies will love you for it as well. Tall Blazing Star is a native of the central US where it commonly found growing on clay soils. Drought tolerant once well established but will enjoy average moisture in a garden setting. Seed grown from a north Louisiana population.

Gardening facts about Liatris aspera plant

How to Grow Liatris aspera

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • average
    • gritty

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • birds
    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Liatris for your garden

aka Liatris callolepsis, Serratula spicata, Blazing Star, Button Snakeroot, Gayfeather

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

3a-9b

Size

Height: 2'-4'

Width: 1'-2'

  • sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Liatris spicata flower, foliage, form by Stan Shebs
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aka Narrow Leaf Blazing Star

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6a-10b

Size

Height: 18"-24"

Width: 8"-12"

  • sun - mostly sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
Photo of Liatris microcephala flower by Mason Brock
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aka Liatris ligulistylus, Large-headed Liatris

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

4a-10b

Size

Height: 3'-5'

Width: 12"-24"

  • sun
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Liatris ligulistylis flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
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aka Cattail Gayfeather, Eureka Button Snakeroot, Kansas Gayfeathe, Prairie Blazing Star, Tall Blazing Star

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

3a-10b

Size

Height: 4'-5'

Width: 18"

  • sun
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Liatris pycnostachya 'Eureka' flower by Far Reaches Farm
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aka Prairie Blazing Star

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 2'-5'

Width: 1'-2'

  • sun
  • low
Photo of Liatris pycnostachya flower by Daderot
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+19 more Liatris
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