Rough Blazing Star

Liatris aspera

Back to plants
  • Common name
    Rough Blazing Star
  • Latin name
    Liatris aspera
  • Plant type
    perennial
  • Flower color
    Purple to lavender (occasionally pinkish)
  • Bloom time
    Late summer to early fall
  • Height
    24–48"
  • Chelsea chop
    No
  • Light requirements
    Full sun to very light shade
  • Moisture
    Average to dry (It is exceptionally drought-tolerant, naturally thriving in sandy, rocky, and poor nutrient-deficient soils. It cannot tolerate waterlogged winter conditions.)
  • Native to Ontario
    Yes
  • Locally native
    No
  • Deer resistant
    Yes
  • Ecological benefit
    Outstanding nectar plant for butterflies (especially Monarch butterflies during migration). Attracts native bees and beneficial insects. Seeds eaten by birds. It is a preferred food source for Tiger Swallowtails, Clouded Sulphurs, Painted Ladies, and Red Admiral.
  • Notes
    Great for prairie gardens and sandy/poor soils. Especially good paired with coneflowers and prairie grasses. fluffy seed heads (pappus) remain upright through the winter, providing critical cold-season seeds for songbirds like finches.
  • Picture
    Rough Blazing Star