Blazing Star for Wands of Color

There is nothing quite so spectacular as a meadow of blazing star, their colorful wands punctuating the air like so many exclamation points. Luckily you don’t need a meadow to grow them, and there are species for dry and wet conditions.

Whether you call it blazing star, gayfeather or liatris, this midsummer beauty makes a fun, bold statement no matter where it is — in a meadow, your garden, or a vase.

Liatris spicata species photo by Will Stuart, Blue Ridge Parkway

Liatris is native to North America and a member of the aster family with over fifty species. It blooms in mid to late summer. Most of these are wildflowers of course, most suitable for large gardens and semi-wild meadows. But several have been bred for use in flower gardens.

Plant This, Not That Invasive!

Dame’s Rocket

As we all try to help pollinators and save our besieged planet, it pays to know what not to plant as well as what to plant. Sadly, not everything on offer at the local nursery is a safe choice. While they may look great in our gardens, some plants selfseed surreptitiously into nearby fields and woods as fast and as thoroughly as dandelions. Invasives greatly accelerate native species extinction, so it helps to avoid adding to the problem. Do you know which common flowers and shrubs are considered invasive?

Don’t feel guilty if you discover you have a few in your own yard — most of us do. Over time though, think about replacing them with safer choices. Check out these suggestions to see what you could swap in for a similar effect.

Why Bluestar Is Top Rated

This outstanding perennial is still not commonplace, but it’s steadily gaining in popularity thanks to several new hybrids. Both the native form and the hybrids are worth growing. All are highly rated by horticulturalists and gardeners alike. If you’re not familiar with it, read on and find out why.