• Photo of Liatris microcephala (Liatris microcephalas)

Plant Profile: Liatris microcephala

Taxonomy: Liatris microcephala

Names

Appalachian Blazing Star., Dwarf Blazing Star, Smallhead Blazing Star

  • Photo of Liatris microcephala (Liatris microcephalas)

Phonetic Spelling:lie-A-tris my-kro-SEF-uh-luh

Genus:Liatris

Species:microcephala

Family:Asteraceae

Dwarf Blazing Star, a compact and upright plant, is an excellent choice for butterfly gardens, cutting gardens, native landscapes, and naturalized settings. This species is indigenous to the southern Appalachian Mountains. It features multiple stems adorned with fluffy disc flowers that bloom on terminal spikes, while its leaves are slender and resemble grass.

This plant thrives in well-drained soil and is capable of withstanding high temperatures and humidity. It is also resistant to deer damage and can endure drought conditions as well as poor, rocky soils. For optimal flowering, it requires full sunlight from late summer through fall. In regions with wet winters, it is crucial to plant it in well-drained soil to avoid corm rot.

For additional details on Liatris, please refer to further resources.

Liatris microcephala Feature Summary

Liatris microcephala Image Gallery

Tags

#purple
#showy flowers
#drought tolerant
#cut flowers
#cottage garden
#NC native
#deer resistant
#native garden
#rock gardens
#cutting garden
#poor soils tolerant
#compact habit
#butterfly friendly
#nectar plant late summer
#pollinator garden
#bee friendly

Similar Plants

Liatris microcephala Feature Summary

Attributes
South Eastern U.S.A
Attracts butterflies and bees. Deer resistant
Perennial
Flowers
The inflorescence is made up of rose-purple fluffy disc flowers in small groups on terminal spikes. Blooms late summer into fall.
Pink
Purple/Lavender
< 1 inch
Leaves
The basal leaves are narrow and grass-like and become small as they go up the stem.
Linear
Lanceolate
< 1 inch
Stem
Green to brownish stem
Brown/Copper
Green
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Native Plant
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Acid (<6.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Landscape
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Rock Garden
Butterfly Garden
Cottage Garden
Native Garden
Butterflies
Songbirds
Hummingbirds

Liatris microcephala Attributes

Liatris microcephala: Country Or Region Of Origin

South Eastern U.S.A

Liatris microcephala: Wildlife Value

Attracts butterflies and bees. Deer resistant

Liatris microcephala: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Liatris microcephala: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Liatris microcephala Flowers

Liatris microcephala: Flower Description

The inflorescence is made up of rose-purple fluffy disc flowers in small groups on terminal spikes. Blooms late summer into fall.

Liatris microcephala: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Pink
filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender

Liatris microcephala: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Liatris microcephala: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Liatris microcephala: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Liatris microcephala: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Liatris microcephala Leaves

Liatris microcephala: Leaf Description

The basal leaves are narrow and grass-like and become small as they go up the stem.

Liatris microcephala: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Liatris microcephala: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Liatris microcephala: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Liatris microcephala: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Liatris microcephala: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Liatris microcephala: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Liatris microcephala: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Liatris microcephala Stem

Liatris microcephala: Stem Description

Green to brownish stem

Liatris microcephala: Stem Color

grass
Brown/Copper
grass
Green

Liatris microcephala: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Liatris microcephala Whole Plant Traits

Liatris microcephala: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Liatris microcephala: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Liatris microcephala: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Liatris microcephala: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Liatris microcephala Cultural Conditions

Liatris microcephala: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Liatris microcephala: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Liatris microcephala: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Liatris microcephala: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Liatris microcephala: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Liatris microcephala: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Liatris microcephala Fruit

Liatris microcephala: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Liatris microcephala: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Liatris microcephala Landscape

Liatris microcephala: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Liatris microcephala: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Liatris microcephala: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Liatris microcephala: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Liatris microcephala: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees