Audubon® Native Prairie Blazing Star

You may have seen Blazing Star in a flower bouquet and didn’t know what it was. Well, this perky Spirit’s tall, slim, pinkish-lavender flower spikes look just as beautiful in your garden as they do in a bouquet! What’s more, in the garden they attract welcome wildlife. Prairie Blazing Star’s mid- to late summer flowers are downright addictive to monarch butterflies, and swallowtails, viceroys, painted ladies, buckeyes, and skippers will not pass them by, either. In the fall, chickadees, goldfinches, juncos, and sparrows will arrive. They’ll cling to the swaying, wand-like stems as they dig out the nutritious seeds.

Prairie Blazing Star was once a component of the majestic tallgrass prairie that covered vast portions of our country’s midsection. Its native range extends from Minnesota to Louisiana and encompasses most of the adjacent states along that corridor. In the wild, Prairie Blazing Star nourishes butterflies and songbirds, along with hummingbirds and many native bees. Another interesting insect that Blazing Star supports is the glorious flower moth; its caterpillars eat the flowers and developing seeds. This pretty little rose, tan, and cream moth is rarely seen today—it depends on us to keep its food source available to ensure its survival. Plant more Blazing Star!

Prairie Blazing Star just has to be different. Have you ever noticed that nearly all plants open their flower clusters from the bottom to the top? (They do.) This plant opens its blossoms from the top to the bottom. Blazing Star makes an excellent cut flower, and because of its unique blooming habit, the top of the spike may be snipped off as the old flowers fade, keeping the bouquet looking fresh.

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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