Blazing Star Liatris spicata 'Kobold'
ABOUT
The plant known commonly as Blazing Star 'Kobold' presents with a striking and dense spike of feathery, bright purple flowers that stand upright, creating a vibrant display in the garden. The flowers bloom from the top down, offering a unique appearance as they progressively open over time, which can attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. The leaves of this plant are narrow, grass-like, and a deep green color that contrasts beautifully with the vivid purple of the flowers. Blazing Star 'Kobold' has a clump-forming habit with the foliage creating a tufted base from which the flower spikes arise, making it an attractive plant even before the blooming period begins. The overall impression is that of a lively, upright perennial that adds both color and vertical interest to a garden bed or border.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Dense Blazing Star, Prairie Gay Feather, Marsh Blazing Star, Spike Gayfeather
Common names
Liatris spicata, Lacinaria spicata, Serratula spicata.
ToxicityTo humans
Blazing star, which is the common name for Liatris spicata 'Kobold', is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning or adverse effects due to ingestion of the plant parts. However, as with any plant, some individuals may experience allergic reactions or sensitivities. It is always a good practice to avoid ingesting plants that are not specifically identified as edible.
To pets
Blazing star, the common name for Liatris spicata 'Kobold', is not known to be toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats. Like many ornamental plants, it is not intended for consumption, but ingestion of small quantities is unlikely to cause serious harm to your pets. If a large amount is ingested, it may cause gastrointestinal upset as with any non-food plant material. Always monitor your pets and prevent them from eating plants not intended for consumption.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3-9
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Liatris spicata 'Kobold' is known to attract butterflies and bees, which are essential for pollination.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it has good drought resistance, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens with less water availability.
- Easy to Grow: It is considered low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soil types, making it an easy addition for gardeners of all levels of experience.
- Long Bloom Time: The plant bloomes in the summer and lasts for several weeks, providing an extended display of color.
- Vertical Interest: With its spiky blooms, it adds vertical interest to gardens and landscapes, which can be particularly effective in mixed borders.
- Deer Resistant: It is rarely damaged by deer, making it a good choice for gardens in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Cut Flower: The flowers can be used in fresh bouquets and have a good vase life, which makes them desirable for cutting gardens.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Liatris spicata 'Kobold', commonly known as Gayfeather or Blazing Star, has been traditionally used for its purported anti-inflammatory properties.
- Diuretic: The roots of the plant have been used to promote urination, which can help in reducing fluid retention.
- Expectorant: Gayfeather has been used to help clear mucus from the airways, thereby acting as an expectorant.
- Antibacterial: There is some evidence to suggest that compounds in Gayfeather may exhibit antibacterial activities.
- Gastrointestinal relief: Traditionally, the plant has been used to help alleviate certain gastrointestinal issues.
- Sore throat remedy: Herbalists have used preparations of Gayfeather to soothe sore throats.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Butterfly Garden Attraction: Gayfeather is commonly planted in butterfly gardens as it is a magnet for butterflies due to its nectar-rich flowers.
- Drying and Preservation: The flowers of Gayfeather can be dried and used in floral arrangements, maintaining their color and shape for long periods.
- Landscape Design: Owing to its upright form and spiky texture, Gayfeather is used to provide vertical interest in landscape design.
- Naturalizing Areas: Gayfeather can be used in naturalized areas to add color and height, as it readily self-sows in favorable conditions.
- Cut Flower Gardens: Due to its long vase life when cut, Gayfeather is an excellent addition to a cut flower garden.
- Crafting: The spiky blooms of Gayfeather can be used in crafting, such as in the creation of natural wreaths or decorative displays.
- Borders and Edgings: Planted in mass, Gayfeather serves as an effective border or edging plant in a garden setting.
- Educational Tool: Gayfeather can be used in educational gardens to teach about prairie ecosystems and plant-pollinator relationships.
- Erosion Control: With its root system, Gayfeather can be planted on slopes or areas prone to erosion to help stabilize the soil.
- Seasonal Interest: Its late summer blooming period makes Gayfeather valuable for adding color to gardens when many other plants have finished flowering.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Gayfeather is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Gayfeather is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Happiness: Gayfeather, which is a common name for Liatris spicata 'Kobold', is often associated with joy and happiness, making it a cheerful presence in gardens and floral arrangements.
- Pride: Its tall spikes of purple flowers stand up straight, reminiscent of a proud posture, thus symbolizing pride and high self-esteem.
- Attraction: Gayfeather is believed to have an attractive energy, symbolizing the ability to draw in positive experiences or individuals.
- Healing: This plant has been used in traditional medicine, which lends it a symbolic connection to healing and health.
WaterFor the Blazing Star, establish a regular watering schedule to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy during the first growing season. Once established, this plant is quite drought-tolerant and will only require watering if there are extended periods of drought. Generally, watering with about 1 gallon per square foot once a week should be sufficient, but this can vary depending on your climate and soil conditions. In hotter, drier periods, increase watering frequency. It's best to water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth.
LightThe Blazing Star thrives best in full sun conditions, meaning it should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot would be in an open area that is free from shade throughout the day. If it doesn't receive enough sunlight, the plant may not bloom as vigorously and its stems can become weak and floppy.
TemperatureThe Blazing Star can endure a wide range of temperatures but performs best in environments where the temperature is between 60°F and 70°F. It is hardy in zones 3 through 8, withstanding temperatures as low as -40°F and as high as 90°F. Extreme heat or cold outside of these ranges can stress the plant and affect its growth and blooming.
PruningPruning the Blazing Star is important both for aesthetic reasons and to encourage healthy growth. Cut back the spent flower stalks after blooming to maintain a tidy appearance and possibly stimulate a second bloom. In late winter or early spring, prune back the entire plant to ground level to promote fresh, vigorous growth. Pruning is typically done annually.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBlazing Star prefers well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Use a mix of garden soil, sand, and compost or well-rotted manure to enhance drainage. This soil composition mimics its native habitat and provides the right balance of nutrients and aeration.
RepottingBlazing Star is typically grown from corms rather than repotted. If grown in containers, it can be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and divide if necessary. Division can help rejuvenate overcrowded plants.
Humidity & MistingBlazing Star thrives in average humidity conditions and does not require any special humidity adjustments. It can grow well in the ambient humidity levels typically found in its outdoor environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light and well-drained soil.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate watering.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Liatris spicata 'Kobold', commonly known as the Dwarf Blazing Star, begins with germination, where the small, hard seeds require a period of cold stratification before they sprout. Once the seeds germinate in the spring, they develop into rosettes of narrow, grass-like leaves, with growth accelerating as temperatures rise. In the second or third year, the plant enters the flowering stage, typically in mid to late summer, producing tall, erect spikes adorned with fluffy, purple flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. After blooming, the plant sets seed, which are dispersed by wind or through contact with animals and nearby vegetation. In fall, the above-ground foliage of the Dwarf Blazing Star dies back, while the corm-like roots remain dormant underground throughout the winter. With the return of favorable conditions in spring, the plant regrows from the perennial rootstock, thus repeating the life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Summer
Liatris spicata 'Kobold', commonly known as Blazing Star or Gayfeather, is most effectively propagated by dividing its corms or tuberous roots. The ideal time to propagate is in the spring after any threat of frost has passed and the soil is workable. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the clumps of corms and use a sharp, clean knife to divide them, ensuring that each section has at least one growth point or shoot. Replant the divisions promptly, spacing them about 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) apart, and water them well. This will give the divisions a good start and help establish a new clump of Blazing Star, resulting in a beautiful display of tall, feathery blooms typically in the summer months.
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