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Bottlebrush Blazing Star

Liatris mucronata

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full
Soil moisture
Medium-Dry to Dry
Bloom time
Aug–Oct
Bloom color
Purple

About Bottlebrush Blazing Star

Bottlebrush Blazing Star is a resilient and strikingly beautiful wildflower that brings a unique texture to the sun-drenched landscape. This native perennial typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall, featuring narrow, grass-like leaves that radiate out from the stem, giving it the appearance of a soft, green bottlebrush even before it blooms. In late summer and fall, the stems are topped with dense, fuzzy spikes of brilliant lavender-purple flowers. Native to the glades and prairies of the south-central United States, this species is exceptionally heat-tolerant and thrives in dry, rocky, or limestone-rich soils. It is a vital late-season nectar source for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators preparing for winter. Bottlebrush Blazing Star requires full sun and excellent drainage to thrive, making it a perfect candidate for xeriscaping or rocky garden beds. Its compact form and long-lasting color make it a versatile choice for adding a pop of late-season interest to any native planting, especially in regions with hot, dry summers.

Native range

Native to 6 states:

ArkansasKansasLouisianaMissouriOklahomaTexas

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Liatris mucronata

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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