Godfrey’s Blazing Star: A Rare Florida Native Worth Protecting
Meet Godfrey’s blazing star (Liatris provincialis), a stunning yet incredibly rare wildflower that calls Florida home. This perennial beauty is part of the beloved blazing star family, known for their distinctive feathery flower spikes that seem to defy gravity by blooming from the top down. But here’s the catch – this particular species is so uncommon that it’s classified as imperiled, making it both a gardening treasure and a conservation priority.
What Makes Godfrey’s Blazing Star Special
This native Florida forb stands out with its vibrant purple-magenta flower spikes that rise gracefully above grass-like foliage. Like other blazing stars, it’s a herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground each winter and returns with fresh growth in spring. What sets Godfrey’s blazing star apart is its extremely limited range and rarity – it’s found nowhere else in the world except Florida.
Where Does It Grow?
Godfrey’s blazing star is endemic to Florida, meaning it evolved here and exists nowhere else naturally. This makes it a true Florida original, perfectly adapted to the state’s unique growing conditions and climate.
A Conservation Story
Here’s where things get serious. Godfrey’s blazing star has a Global Conservation Status of S2, which means it’s imperiled due to extreme rarity. With typically only 6 to 20 known occurrences and potentially fewer than 3,000 individual plants remaining in the wild, this species is fighting for survival. Habitat loss and development pressures have pushed this beautiful wildflower to the brink.
Should You Grow Godfrey’s Blazing Star?
The short answer is: yes, but only if you can source it responsibly. Here’s why this rare native deserves a place in Florida gardens:
- Supports local pollinators including butterflies and native bees
- Requires minimal water once established, perfect for sustainable landscaping
- Adds unique vertical interest with its distinctive flower spikes
- Connects your garden to Florida’s natural heritage
- Helps preserve genetic diversity of this imperiled species
Important: Only purchase plants or seeds from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their stock rather than collecting from wild populations. Never collect seeds or plants from natural areas.
Growing Conditions
Godfrey’s blazing star thrives in conditions that mirror its native Florida scrubland habitat:
- Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
- Soil: Well-draining sandy soils
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
- Climate: USDA Hardiness Zones 8b-10a
Garden Design Ideas
This blazing star works beautifully in:
- Native Florida wildflower gardens
- Xeriscape and drought-tolerant landscapes
- Pollinator gardens
- Natural areas and meadow plantings
- Mixed perennial borders for vertical accent
Planting and Care Tips
Once you’ve sourced your plants responsibly, growing Godfrey’s blazing star is refreshingly straightforward:
- Plant in fall or early spring when temperatures are moderate
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Water regularly the first growing season to establish roots
- After establishment, water only during extended dry periods
- Avoid fertilizing – these plants prefer lean soils
- Allow seed heads to remain for wildlife and natural reseeding
A Garden with Purpose
By choosing to grow Godfrey’s blazing star, you’re not just adding a beautiful plant to your garden – you’re participating in conservation. Every responsibly grown plant helps preserve the genetic diversity of this rare species while creating habitat for Florida’s native pollinators. It’s gardening with purpose, Florida style.
Remember, the key to success with this imperiled beauty lies in respecting its rarity. Source responsibly, grow with care, and enjoy knowing that your garden is helping to safeguard a piece of Florida’s irreplaceable natural heritage for future generations.
