A carefree native perennial that belongs in every sunny garden, Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) is too uncommonly found in today's landscapes. A butterfly magnet that blooms all summer, it is carefree and lovely. Make it part of your next garden planting.
'Kobold Original' is a fine selection of Blazing Star, sporting long, flower-packed stems that open gradually over a period of several weeks. The top blooms open first, working their way down the stem as butterflies and other pollinators visit to sip the sweet nectar. These flowers are a brilliant rosy purple, standing out nicely above the neat rosette of foliage.
Just 14 inches high out of bloom and no more than 2 feet with the addition of its imposing flower stalks, 'Kobold Original' Blazing Star can be squeezed into crowded borders to brilliant effect. It stretches less than a foot wide, and its impact is far greater than the amount of space it occupies. Fond of sunshine, it repeats all summer when the first blooms are cut or deadheaded. (And be sure to cut some for indoor arrangements. 'Kobold Original' is a glorious subject in the vase.)
Unappetizing to nibbling deer and rabbits, this Blazing Star will thrive for many seasons in your sunny garden. Give it excellent soil drainage and pamper it a bit the first year to help it find its feet. From then on, it is quite low maintenance, surviving less-than-ideal conditions effortlessly. Its native resistance to pest and disease make it an easy addition to meadow and wildflower gardens. Discover the beauty of this natural favorite.
