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Monarch Butterfly on Prairie Blazing Star
Swallowtail Butterfly on Prairie Blazing Star
Female Eastern Swallowtail on Prairie Blazing Star
Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) Association Map
Monarch Butterfly on Prairie Blazing Star
Swallowtail Butterfly on Prairie Blazing Star
Female Eastern Swallowtail on Prairie Blazing Star
Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) Association Map
Liatris pycnostachya

Prairie Blazing Star

Seeds

Packet $3.00

Plants

50 Plug Tray Out of Stock

Description

Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya), also known as Cat-tail Gayfeather, is a striking native perennial known for its tall, dense flower spikes of pale purple blooms. Flowering from the top down, its vibrant 8-inch spikes attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other nectar-loving pollinators—making it a standout in both native gardens and cut flower arrangements.

Reaching 3 to 5 feet tall, this species blooms from July through September and is more tolerant of moisture than many other Liatris species. It thrives in full sun and adapts well to both dry and moist soils. Native to the Midwest, it’s often found alongside Rattlesnake Master in prairie ecosystems.

Seed Details

Weight 0.025 lbs
Dimensions 3.5 × 0.1 × 2.25 in
Kind

Seeds, Plants

Items - Seeds

None, Packet

Items - Plants

None, 50 Plug Tray

Germination Code

60 Day Stratification

Sociability

Corms, Self-Seeding

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Soil Moisture

Mesic, Wet-Mesic, Wet

Height

3-4 Feet

USDA Zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Bloom Colors

Purple

Bloom Period

July, August

Plant Spacing

12-18 Inches

Range Map

Prairie Blazing Star native range

Details

Seeds/Packet150
Germination Code60 Day Cold Moist Stratification
SociabilityCorms, Self-Seeding
Sun RequirementsFull Sun
Soil MoistureMesic, Wet-Mesic, Wet
BenefitsButterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators
Height3-4'
Hardiness Zone3 - 9
Bloom ColorPurple
Bloom PeriodJuly, August
Spacing12-18"

Seeds & Seed Mixes:

Seeds and seed mixes ship nationwide, year-round, typically within 3–5 business days. If you would like to postpone a seed mix shipment until fall, please note this at checkout.

Live Plants:

Live plants are available year-round while inventory lasts and ship to all states except California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii. After your order is placed, we’ll contact you to coordinate a spring shipping window, as many plants are overwintered and ship once dormancy breaks.

Estimated shipping for 2026 plant orders begins in mid-April, weather permitting.

If you’re looking to secure plants in advance or need larger quantities for a project, we offer contract growing options. Contact us to discuss your needs and request a quote. Additional species not listed online may also be available through contract grow.

Live Stakes:

Live stakes are available by request only and must be ordered by submitting a contact form. Ordering is open seasonally from November 1 through February 28. A minimum of 100 stakes per order is required, with at least 25 stakes per species.

Live stakes ship only to the following states: Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa.

PLS stands for Pure Live Seed, an industry-standard measure of seed quality. It reflects the portion of seed in a batch that is viable and capable of germinating.

What this means for you: when you purchase 1 lb. of PLS seed, the physical weight of the seed you receive will be slightly more than 1 lb. That’s because we account for non-viable seed and natural inert material upfront, so you receive a full pound of live, plantable seed.

Many companies sell bulk seed by total weight, which can include filler and non-viable seed. By pricing based on PLS, we make sure you’re getting exactly what you paid for—high-quality native seed with more predictable, successful germination.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our in-depth article on what PLS is and why it matters.