Liatris punctata

From the central plains states and southern Canada, Dotted Blazing Star is the most western occurring Liatris, extending all the way to Arizona. For this reason, it does best when given a soil poor in nutrients, quick to drain and kept on the dry side. Too rich a soil will cause the stems to lie flat on the ground twisted and curled. This short-statured perennial grows from a bulb-like corn and sends deep taproots far down into the soil profile. Dotted Blazing Star gets its name from the numerous gland dots, or punctations, on its leaves. If you need a super tough plant for xeric plantings and butterfly gardens, this purple blooming perennial is just the right choice.