{"product_id":"rough-blazing-star-liatris-aspera","title":"Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eRough Blazing Star \u003cem\u003e(Liatris aspera)\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRough Blazing Star is the prairie's late-season purple torch — blooming weeks after its cousin \u003cem\u003eLiatris spicata\u003c\/em\u003e, extending the Blazing Star season deep into September and October when the monarch migration is at its peak through Louisiana. Its button-like flower heads are spaced along the stem rather than densely packed, giving it a more open, airy quality that catches the autumn breeze with particular grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBotanical Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asteraceae (Daisy family)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Central and eastern United States from Ontario to Georgia and west to North Dakota and Texas; native to Louisiana's upland prairies and well-drained grasslands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–4 feet tall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e August–October (later than L. spicata — extends the Liatris season)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained, dry to average; drought-tolerant; grows from a corm; tolerates poor soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePrairie Movement \u0026amp; Ecological Role\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRough Blazing Star's late bloom makes it one of the most critical nectar sources for migrating monarchs passing through Louisiana in September and October. Its open, button-like flower heads also attract bumblebees, native sweat bees, and specialist \u003cem\u003eLiatris\u003c\/em\u003e bees. Its seeds feed American Goldfinches through fall. Planted alongside \u003cem\u003eLiatris spicata\u003c\/em\u003e, it creates a continuous purple bloom from July through October — a two-month Blazing Star season that sustains pollinators through the critical late-summer and fall migration window.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIn the Prairie Movement Strip\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003cem\u003ePrairie Movement Strip | Wind, Pollinators \u0026amp; Motion\u003c\/em\u003e collection at Big Mamou Enterprises, Rough Blazing Star is the prairie strip's autumn encore — extending the purple season and feeding the last monarchs of the year as they pass through Louisiana on their way to Mexico.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Big Mamou Enterprises","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49765834522864,"sku":null,"price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0824\/7171\/5056\/files\/image_64a2b6c4-4052-4e9d-b261-d83b4b81432d.png?v=1779811246","url":"https:\/\/realtimecajun.com\/products\/rough-blazing-star-liatris-aspera","provider":"Big Mamou Enterprises","version":"1.0","type":"link"}