Liatris ligulistylis.
Meadow Blazing Star is a perennial wildflower native to the central and midwestern regions of the United States where it can often be found growing rocky woods, meadows, and alongside the rocky banks of streams.
Plant grows to around 5 feet in height and produces rounded, pinkish-purple flowers that bloom from late summer into fall.
You won't find a better plant to attract Monarch butterflies, as the flowers bloom at exactly the same time the Monarchs are preparing for their long southerly migration!
Bees and hummingbirds are also quite attracted to this plant, and numerous other bird species will feed on the seeds that appear later in the year.
Meadow Blazing Star
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7 Light Requirement: Full to partial sun Soil Type: Dry, sandy, rocky Sow Depth: 1/8 inch Plant Spacing: 12 to 24 inches Germination Note: Cold stratification required Stratification Time: 60 days Bloom Time: August through September Growing Tips
Direct sow in late fall by lightly pressing the seeds into the soil's surface. For spring planting, mix seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days (cold stratification) before sowing. Keep soil lightly moist until germination, which should occur within 3 - 4 weeks if the soil temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees F.
A Note on Cold Stratification
These seeds require cold, moist stratification. To naturally stratify the seeds, plant outdoors late fall on a weed-free site and allow seeds to overwinter.
To artificially stratify the seeds, place the seeds and a moist medium (such as a damp paper towel, coffee filter, sand, or vermiculite) in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator (33-40°F) for the amount of time noted on the growth chart before sowing.