Liatris Spicata Blazing Star

Gay Feather, Blazing Star

Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’ Seed Strain (Blazing Star / Gayfeather) is a compact, upright perennial with a clumping habit, featuring narrow, grass-like green foliage and dense spikes of rosy-purple flowers that bloom from top to bottom in mid to late summer. As a seed strain, plants may show slight variation in height, flower density, and bloom timing, but are selected for their overall compact and floriferous nature. 

Type: Perennial
Mature Size: 12–18" W × 18–30" H (variable)
USDA Zones: 3a–9b
Form: Upright, clumping

Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Well-drained soils; low to moderate water, drought tolerant once established
Bloom Time / Length: Mid to late summer; moderate (3–4 weeks)

Wildlife: Bees, butterflies

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for borders, mass plantings, prairie gardens, and pollinator plantings. The seed strain offers a more naturalized look due to slight variation among plants. Provides strong vertical interest and is excellent for fresh or dried cut flowers.

Care:
Deadhead for a tidier appearance or leave seed heads for natural reseeding. Cut back in late fall or early spring. Prefers well-drained soils and does not tolerate wet winter conditions.

Note (key difference):
Seed strain selections are grown from seed and can vary slightly, while named or “original” cultivars are typically propagated by division for uniform size and form. 

Plant type

Perennial

Height

18-30"

Width

12-18"

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Bloom time

Late Summer, Mid Summer

Leaf color

Fern

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Well Drained

Landscape use

Border, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clumping, Upright

Drought tolerant

No