Wild Prairie blazing star is a perennial native prairie wildflower (a perennial native prairie forb). Liatris pycnostachya is a perennial native prairie wildflower (a perennial native prairie forb). Oak Prairie Farm offers retail perennial native prairie wildflowers (retail perennial native prairie forbs). Oak Prairie Farm offers wholesale perennial native prairie wildflowers (wholesale perennial native prairie forbs). This Prairie Guidebook page provides perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild plant propagation information. This Prairie Guidebook page provides perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild seed treatment information. This Prairie Guidebook page also provides perennial native prairie wildflower (perennial native prairie forb) wild seed sales information.

Prairie blazing star	Also called: Kansas gay feather, tall blazing star, button snakeroot

Botanical name:	Liatris pycnostachya

Description: The violet-lavender flowers grow on a single stalk at the top of the plant. These perennial, plants are up to 4 feet tall, with blooms progressing down from the top of the bloom stalk. The leaves are grass like and about 4 inches long.

Attracts:	Birds, Butterflies and Honeybees.
Bloom time:	From August and September.
Range:	Northern U.S. and south to Texas.
Sunshine:	Full sun.
Moisture:	Fairly wet to middle.
Soil types:	Clay or loam best.

Suggested seed treatment: You should provide 30 days of cold moist stratification at 40 degrees. Many prairie wildflower seeds benefit by moist cold stratification, some require it to germinate. Seed that you purchase from Oak Prairie Farm has not received cold moist stratification.

Direct planting tips: Plant seed in desired location in 1/4 inch deep soil, and firm.

Transplants: If you grow transplants from our seed: transplant while dormant in spring or fall, trim long roots, plant with buds just below the soil surface, space 1 to 2 feet apart. These plants are sensitive to frost heaving.

Companion prairie plants: Spiderwort, Rattlesnake, Sawtooth sunflower, Big bluestem, Indian grass.

Comments: Good for the home garden. Mulch in winter to help prevent frost heaving. Sometimes they require staking. Excellent for cut flowers.

indicates photos taken by Dan Klapper.

indicates photos taken by Dr. Era Jo Moorer. All others taken by Lin Heinrich.
See the About Oak Prairie Farm link on the Home page for more information concerning photographers.