Photo: Chrumps, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Dense blazing star: when and how to prune
Liatris spicata
Dense blazing star is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Dense blazing star: when to prune it?
Dense blazing star needs hardly any pruning. Cut away the dead stems and leaves in March, before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Dense blazing star: how to prune it?
- In summer, cut faded spikes back to just above the leaves if you do not want seed.
- Leave the foliage after flowering until it yellows: this lets the corm build up reserves for next year.
- In March, cut all dead stems and leaves back to just above the ground.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Dense blazing star flowers in July–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not hoe or rake deeply around the plant: the corms sit just below the surface.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Dense blazing star · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.