Rough blazing star is a pollinator paradise. Its late-season purple-tufted blooms attract monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. This perennial thrives in dry soils, making it a great choice for rock gardens. It has short, stiff hairs on its stem, giving rise to both its common and Latin names, as “aspera” is Latin for “rough.”
I. Appearance and CharacteristicsÂ
Liatris aspera (known as rough blazing star, button blazing star, lacerate blazing star, tall prairie blazing star, or tall gayfeather) is a perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae family.
This plant is native to the United States from Texas to the west and New York to the east. It is also native to Ontario in Canada. It grows in prairies, glades, and savannas, and along roadsides and railroads.
Liatris aspera is a perennial herb that grows as a single, erect, unbranched stem 30 to 180 cm (1 to 6 feet) high. Leaves are numerous on the stem, alternate, and narrowly lanceolate with the lower leaves larger, up to 38 centimetres (15 in) long and 1 inch (3 cm) wide, becoming smaller and narrower higher on the plant.
The inflorescence is an erect raceme with numerous, purple, button-like flower heads, short-stalked or stalkless, blooming from the top down. It flowers from mid-August through October, with seed becoming ripe in October to November.
It attracts birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
II. How to Grow and Care
Rough blazing star thrives in well-drained soil and requires full sun exposure to flourish. Notably drought-tolerant, rough blazing star benefits significantly from deep, infrequent watering which encourages a robust root system. Deadheading spent flowers can promote a more prolonged blooming period.
Sunlight
The rough blazing star will grow in full sun and partial shade. It is most commonly grown in full sun, which encourages full growth, though most will also grow under a little shade. However, too much shade may prevent blooming and can also lead to disease. The rough blazing star will survive and thrive in bright sunlight and hot summers, with at least six hours of sunlight a day needed for optimum growth.
Temperature
Most rough blazing star species are fairly tolerant of the cold, able to tolerate temperatures down to -29 ℃. A few species are even more cold-tolerant than this, provided the soil has been mulched. The rough blazing star will thrive with little attention, provided it is in a sunny spot and its soil is well-drained. The plant needs about 2 cm of water a week during the heat of summer, otherwise growth may be stunted.
Watering
Native to the prairies and open woodlands, rough blazing star is adapted to environments with periodic moisture and well-drained soils. This species thrives on a balance of occasional rainfall and drought periods, exhibiting a strong drought tolerance. Watering should mimic its natural habitat, with a schedule of once every week being sufficient for maintaining health. Given its preference for drier conditions, overwatering can be detrimental to rough blazing star.
Typically grown outdoors due to its hardy nature, rough blazing star flourishes when watered in sync with the growing season, ensuring it receives adequate hydration during active growth while allowing for soil dryness between watering sessions.
Soil
The rough blazing star needs to be in soil that retains moisture well without becoming soggy. Areas that dry out regularly should be avoided if possible, though most species are drought tolerant. The rough blazing star is tolerant of many soil types, including rocky terrain, but prefers lighter soils. Soil pH is not important if soil is well-drained, though slightly acidic soil is preferable. The rough blazing star will grow faster and bloom more abundantly in moist soils. Once established, it will tolerate drier conditions, as well as poorer quality soils.
Fertilizing
For rough blazing star, optimal fertilization involves balanced nutrition fertilizers and high phosphorus alternatives to promote robust growth and prolific blooming. Ideally, apply fertilizer annually in early spring, adhering to specific label instructions for quantity. Increased phosphorus during the vegetative stage enhances flowering, while balanced nutrition supports overall health. Caution is advised to prevent over-fertilization, which can harm rough blazing star and the environment.
Seasonal adjustments are key; reduce fertilization as growth slows in late summer. Novice and experts should wear protective gear and water rough blazing star after application for safe and effective nutrient absorption.
Planting Instructions
When planting, the soil should first be covered with a 5 cm layer of compost. A 10 cm hole should then be dug through both the compost and soil underneath for each rough blazing star plant, with holes for each plant set 10 cm apart in each direction. Once the corms are placed and the soil tamped down over the bulbs, a thorough watering should be applied to settle down the soil. The bulbs should begin to develop roots and sprout within a few weeks. Despite its long stems and flowers, the rough blazing star rarely needs staking and self-supports unless its soil is soggy.
Pruning
It is important to deadhead the rough blazing star as flowers begin to fade. As soon as flowers start to fade, stems should be cut back to basal stems to prevent the plant from going to seed and ending its blooming season early. Pruning the stalks at the end of the season helps to stimulate vigorous growth for the following season. End of season pruning should be done by cutting the stalks back to 5 to 10 cm above the ground and covering the stalks with leaves or straw.
Propagation
For successful cultivation of rough blazing star, the recommended method is by sowing seeds directly into well-draining soil. Care should be taken to provide adequate spacing, as rough blazing star prefers room to flourish without competition. After scattering seeds, a light covering of soil ensures proper seed-to-soil contact, crucial for germination. Consistent moisture is key, yet over-watering must be avoided to prevent rot. Rough blazing star thrives in sunny locations where they can receive ample sunlight, which promotes vigorous growth and the characteristic vibrant blooms.
Transplanting
Greet rough blazing star with the renewal of early to mid-spring, an optimum time for root establishment. Ensure a sunny locale with well-drained soil. If moving rough blazing star, maintain generous soil clumps to protect delicate roots.
III. Uses and BenefitsÂ
Rough blazing star is an excellent choice for perennial borders, cottage gardens or native plant gardens, prairies and meadows. Great as fresh cut flowers or in dried arrangements.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Once blooming is finished later in the year, seeds can be collected easily. For collecting seeds, a stalk can be cut off once it has finished blooming and has dried. The seeds can be stripped from the stalk by hand.
