Liatris punctata - Dotted Blazing Star

Dotted Blazing Star is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial with dense spikes of bright purple, star-like flowers that bloom from the top down in late summer. Its narrow, grass-like leaves emerge from a deep taproot, allowing it to thrive in dry, sandy, and rocky soils where few other plants can compete. A pollinator magnet, it attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, while providing a vital late-season nectar source for migrating monarchs. In fall and winter, goldfinches and other seed-eating birds feast on the ripened seeds.

Well suited for prairie plantings, xeriscaping, and wildflower gardens, Dotted Blazing Star adds form and vibrant color to both rural and urban landscapes. With its slow-spreading, non-invasive nature, it is easy to manage and an excellent low-maintenance choice for pollinator gardens in hot, dry, sunny spaces. Dotted Blazing Star is one of the most drought-resistant blazing star species, thanks to its deep taproot, and its tough, narrow leaves are unpalatable to most herbivores, offering strong deer resistance even in exposed sites.