I have a strip of property about 8'x100' to the west of my office. I had a crotchety old neighbor who I swear went out with a ruler and would call the city if the grass got 1/16 of an inch taller than allowed. So I decided to do a native planting in that area (OK'd with the city administrator first). I called it a Monarch Habitat (and it is), but it's really a Spite Garden. I've come to enjoy all of my plantings (black-eyed Susan going CRAZY right now) but I absolutely LOVE Blazing Star. And so do the Monarchs; during last fall's migration it wasn't uncommon to see 6 or 7 sitting on one Blazing Star plant.
by jenkinl1302
7 Comments
I love both the pettiness and the blazing star in equal measure! Blazing star are also my best monarch magnets đ€©
Spread the seeds in the fall!
Blazing star, any form, is easily one of my favorite non milkweed natives. I have microcephala (dwarf) pycnostachya (prairie), and lingulistylis (meadow). Love them all, though dwarf is yet to bloom.
So fluffy đ
I love the prairie, dense, and meadow…not sure which is my favorite because they’re all so great.
Someone should make some âWelcome To My Spite Gardenâ signs because I feel like a lot of us know that vibe well
Theyâve always reminded me of fireworks.