Why Plant Kobold Blazing Star?
Kobold Original Blazing Star is a little dynamo. This hardy Spirit bursts through the ground in spring with its strappy leaves, quickly making a lush mound of foliage. In summer, rosy lavender flower spikes arise. The perky, petite bloom spikes not only make for a dapper vertical element at the front of your beds and borders, but also summon every butterfly in the neighborhood! In fall, the flowers become fluffy seed heads that catch the light in an enchanting way. The foliage transforms itself, too, taking on crimson and bronzy orange tones. Simply delightful!
Spike Blazing Star is a native wildflower that can be found all over the eastern U.S. from north to south. It usually grows in moist meadows and reaches about 3 or 4 feet tall. The variety of Spike Blazing Star known as Kobold is a German introduction that has been around for quite a while. Kobold is the German word for “Elf” and refers to the selection’s smaller-than-average size, about 2 or 2 ½ feet. This variety is often propagated by seed, which has led to a lot of variation in height. Eventually, growers selected the most compact version they could find (14 in.) and began to propagate it vegetatively, so it would always remain the same. They called it ‘Kobold Original’.
How to use Kobold Blazing Star in the landscape?
Kobold Original 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.) Kobold Original 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.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
How To Plant Kobold Blazing Star
Spirits don’t get much easier to grow than Kobold Original Blazing Star. This tough native perennial prefers a site in full sun, though some afternoon shade isn’t a bad idea in very hot climates. Give it regular summer water for best performance. Soil should be well drained; overly wet soils in winter can be fatal.
How To Water
In the first growing season you’ll want to keep the soil evenly moist and water it regularly. Once your Blazing Star is established, it will be very drought tolerant.
How To Fertilize
We recommend fertilizing your Kobold Original Blazing Star in early spring as your perennial begins to break dormancy!
How To Prune
With its fluffy seed heads, Kobold Original Blazing Star remains attractive into winter. When it starts to break down, cut it down to clear the way for new green growth in spring.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
