Dotted Gayfeather

Liatris punctata

Dotted gayfeather – also known as dotted blazingstar, plains gayfeather, and plains blazing star – has spikes of feathery, purple blooms that butterflies adore. Prefers well-drained sandy or rocky soils but is highly adaptable and will grow in clay soils as well. Does not like wet soils. Shorter than Rocky Mountain (meadow) blazingstar. Taproot can be up to 12 feet long! Xerces Society lists dotted gayfeather as having special value to native bees and bumble bees. This is the Liatris of choice for the hot, dry, intermountain west.

Plant Details

Native Range: Native to CO, intermountain west, and the Great Plains from TX to southern Canada
Height: 2-2.5′
Spacing: 1′
Water Needs: Low
Soil: Rocky, Sandy, Loamy, Clayey
Sunlight: Full sun, part shade
Bloom Time: August – October
USDA Zone: 3-9
Life Cycle: Perennial