Liatris spicata 'Alba' (Dense Blazing Star)

Liatris spicata 'Alba' is a showy, compact cultivar of blazing star noted for its relatively condensed growth habit and striking, snow white blooms. Although Liatris spicata can reach heights of up to five feet tall in the wild, the 'Alba' cultivar grows to a significantly more manageable height of only 2-3' tall in narrow clumps 1-2' wide, perfect for smaller spaces, border beds, and medium height meadows and pollinator gardens. In addition to its manageable growth habit, 'Alba' is a looker and a pollinator magnet, blooming from mid to late summer and attracting bees, butterflies, and the occasional hummingbird.

Liatris spicata 'Alba' grows best in full sun in average, well-draining soils, but is not especially picky about soil consistency or moisture, tolerating both heavy clays and drought. With tolerance of harsh summer weather conditions and deer damage, as well as high ecological value to butterflies and all sorts of pollinators, 'Alba' will make an excellent addition to any pollinator garden or home landscape. Flowers are excellent for cut arrangements, and cutting back after flowering may encourage reblooming; alternatively, flower spikes can be left in place to offer up plentiful seed stock to songbirds through the fall and winter.