Rocky Mountain Blazing Star or Meadow Blazing Star-
Liatris ligulistylis is starring in the garden this month. As those of you whom grow this unique plant in the native garden ,it is an exceptional attractant to butterflies. This particular plant is dear to me as I raised it from seed purchased from Prairie Moon Nursery. It resembles many of the local prairie
Liatris blooming at peak throughout Kansas. Native Kansas
Liatris include
L.aspera, L.punctata,L. pycnostachya Michx., and
Liatris squarrosa,.
This particular day the Monarch and the Buckeye butterflies were jousting for the best perching spot and its sweet nectar.
Even honey bees like getting into the act.
I've noticed Liatris in many different planting combinations recently which provide a nice contrast to plants such as
Nasella tenuissima(Mexican Feather Grass). Get some!
For those wanting to see other native plants in focus go to the
Wildflower Wednesday meme hosted by Gail.