Flower Library
Blazing Star
Liatris spicata · Asteraceae (Korbblütler)
Blazing Star is one of the few flowers that opens from the top down, lifting any bouquet with its feathery violet spires. It brings verticality, structure and a summer-meadow feel to the vase. Ours arrives fresh from the Veiling Rhein-Maas, so the spikes really do keep opening day after day.
- Season
- June – July – August – September – October
- Vase life
- 7–14 days
- Latin name
- Liatris spicata
- Colors
- Violet, Purple, Lilac, White, Pink
Botanically, Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) belongs to the daisy family and is therefore related to asters and sunflowers, even if that is not obvious at first glance. Instead of single flower heads it forms dense, cylindrical spikes made up of countless small tubular florets. The best-known cut-flower form is the violet species type, alongside white and soft-pink selections such as Floristan White and Floristan Violet.
In floristry we value Blazing Star above all as a structural flower. Its straight, candle-like spikes give loosely tied summer bouquets support and direction without making them look heavy. Its habit of opening from the tip downward means an arrangement keeps looking fresh for many days, as the violet slowly works its way down the spike.
A reliable quality marker is the cutting stage: stems whose upper florets are just beginning to open last longest in the vase. When buying at the auction we look for firm, deep-green stems without brown tips and for spikes still carrying plenty of closed buds. That way the flower reaches its full potential in Düsseldorf rather than arriving half spent.
Blazing Star combines beautifully with everything that flowers in a summer meadow: yarrow, coneflower, grasses, dahlias or phlox create natural, abundant bouquets. For a calmer look, arrange the violet spires on their own or with plenty of white, where they appear graphic and modern. Even dried, the spike keeps its shape and colour remarkably well.
Care
- 01Cut stems at an angle and place them straight into lukewarm, clean water.
- 02Remove the lower leaves so nothing rots in the water and it stays clear.
- 03Flower food noticeably extends vase life, as Liatris reacts sensitively to bacteria.
- 04Display in a bright but not too warm spot, away from radiators, fruit bowls and direct midday sun.
- 05Change the water every two to three days, re-cutting the stems each time.
- 06Faded upper sections of the spike can be pinched off; the lower part keeps flowering.
Frequently asked
- How long does Blazing Star last in the vase?
- With a fresh cut, clean water and a little flower food, Blazing Star lasts a good seven to fourteen days. Because it opens from the top down, the stem looks lively the whole time as new buds keep coming.
- Is Blazing Star toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- Blazing Star is considered non-toxic and is not classed as dangerous to dogs, cats or people. As with all ornamentals it should not be eaten, since even non-toxic plants can cause mild stomach upset.
- When is Blazing Star in season as a cut flower?
- The main season runs through summer from June into October, when Blazing Star forms its violet spikes. During this period it is available in top A1 quality at the Veiling Rhein-Maas, so we source it fresh without a wholesale detour.
- What does Blazing Star mean as a gift?
- Blazing Star is regarded as a flower of joy and zest for life, while also standing for an optimistic fresh start. That makes it suitable both for congratulations and for a warm, encouraging gesture.