Common Name: Large-headed Blazing Star, Meadow Blazing Star
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Native Range: Northern and central U.S., including parts of Nebraska, especially the Sandhills and northern prairies
Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Height: 3.0 to 5.0 feet
Spread: 1.0 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall (August–September in Nebraska)
Bloom Description: Large, fluffy, bright magenta-purple flowers in loose, widely spaced clusters along tall stems
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Water Needs: Medium
Soil Preference: Well-drained soils; tolerates sandy or loamy soils, prefers moist but not wet sites
Maintenance Level: Low
Suggested Use: Prairie gardens, pollinator gardens, meadows, borders
Attracts: Monarch butterflies, bees, other butterflies, and pollinators
Tolerates: Drought (moderately), deer, clay (if well-drained)
Notable Features: Exceptional Monarch magnet, airy flower spikes, showy late-season color
Nebraska Growing Notes:
Large-headed Blazing Star is a native prairie perennial known for its strong attraction to Monarch butterflies, making it a standout choice for Nebraska pollinator gardens and restorations.
It prefers full sun and moderately moist, well-drained soils, making it well-suited to central and eastern Nebraska. Unlike Liatris punctata, it thrives in slightly richer or moister conditions and is often found in meadows and open prairies rather than dry uplands.
The flowers are larger and more widely spaced than other Liatris species, creating an airy, elegant appearance. Plants may need staking if grown in rich soils or exposed, windy locations.
Landscape Use:
Perfect for prairie plantings, Monarch waystations, meadows, pollinator gardens, and the back of borders. Combines beautifully with Solidago, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, ornamental grasses, and other late-blooming natives.
Caution:
Non-toxic and highly attractive to wildlife. Taller stems can lean in rich soil or exposed sites, plant among grasses or companions for support. Needs good drainage; avoid soggy locations.
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