Gayfeather / Spiked Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

The Spiked Blazing Star is a showy marsh / wetland plant of the coastal and Piedmont regions of the East Coast. Its tall stalks and purple spears of flowers make it a popular flower in many rain and pollinator gardens. Pollinators from birds, butterflies, and even hummingbirds readily consume the nectar of this flower.

Planting this showy slender flower in the front of the garden, along with a flower seed mix, continues the architectural language of the surrounding flag poles and steeples, as well as creating a brilliant display for passers-by.

“L. spicata has been used as a diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, and stimulant (Coon, 1974). Native Americans used it as a carminative, diuretic, expectorant, and stimulant, and to treat backache and colic (Moerman, 1998)” (Trek Birmingham).

Insect watering dish

Insects such as bees and butterflies get very thirsty when collecting nectar. That is why having access to water sources near flowering sites is essential for them so that they can hydrate, regain their strength and regulate their temperature.

Further resources

• Birmingham-Southern College Medicinal Garden
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Interactions