Blazing Star (Liatris ×steelei): A Rare Native Gem for Midwest Gardens
Meet one of the more elusive members of the blazing star family – Liatris ×steelei. This native perennial might not be the showiest plant on the block, but it carries the quiet charm that makes native plant enthusiasts do a little happy dance when they spot one in the wild.
What Makes This Blazing Star Special?
As a hybrid species (that little × in the name is your clue), Liatris ×steelei represents nature’s own plant breeding experiment. This perennial forb – basically a fancy way of saying it’s an herbaceous flowering plant without woody stems – brings the reliable characteristics that make blazing stars beloved by native plant gardeners everywhere.
Being a true native of the lower 48 states, this blazing star has spent centuries perfecting its relationship with local ecosystems, making it a natural fit for gardens that celebrate regional flora.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
Liatris ×steelei calls the heart of the Midwest home, with documented populations in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. This limited range makes it something of a regional specialty – think of it as the craft beer of blazing stars.
Why Consider This Blazing Star for Your Garden?
Here’s the thing about native plants like Liatris ×steelei – they’re like having a local friend who knows all the best spots in town. They’ve adapted to local conditions over thousands of years, which typically translates to:
- Better drought tolerance once established
- Natural resistance to local pests and diseases
- Support for native wildlife and pollinators
- Lower maintenance requirements
As a perennial, you can count on this blazing star to return year after year, slowly establishing itself as a reliable member of your garden community.
The Reality Check: Limited Availability
Here’s where we need to have an honest conversation. Liatris ×steelei is not your run-of-the-mill garden center find. This hybrid appears to have limited documentation and availability in the horticultural trade, which means tracking down seeds or plants might require some detective work.
If you’re set on adding a blazing star to your Midwest garden, you might want to consider some of its more readily available cousins like Liatris spicata (dense blazing star) or Liatris aspera (rough blazing star), which offer similar benefits and are much easier to source.
Growing Conditions and Care
While specific growing information for Liatris ×steelei is limited, most blazing stars share similar preferences:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-draining soil (they’re not fans of wet feet)
- Average to poor soil fertility (rich soil can make them floppy)
- Moderate water needs once established
The beauty of native plants is that they typically don’t need pampering – they’ve been taking care of themselves in your region long before you came along with your watering can.
Should You Plant It?
If you happen to find Liatris ×steelei available from a reputable native plant source, absolutely give it a try! Any native plant that supports local ecosystems deserves a spot in the garden. Just don’t hold your breath waiting to find it at your local nursery.
For most gardeners, focusing on the more readily available native blazing stars will give you similar benefits with a lot less hunting around. Remember, the goal is to support native ecosystems and enjoy beautiful, low-maintenance plants – and there are plenty of blazing star options to help you do just that.
The Bottom Line
Liatris ×steelei represents the fascinating diversity within our native plant communities, even if it’s not the easiest plant to get your hands on. Whether you manage to track down this particular hybrid or opt for one of its more available relatives, you’ll be adding a piece of authentic Midwest prairie heritage to your landscape.
And really, isn’t that what native gardening is all about – celebrating the plants that make our regions unique, one blazing star at a time?
