Liatris

A must have perennial for the butterfly garden is Liatris or ‘Blazing Star’. An easy to grow prairie wildflower, Liatris can be used in many places in the garden: borders, beds and even containers. They make wonderful cut flowers and can even be dried.
Emerging from mounds of narrow, grass-like foliage, the flower spikes have blooms that resemble fuzzy thistle-like blossoms and flower from top to bottom as opposed to most plants that bloom from the bottom up. Best grown in full sun, many types can also take some light shade. Drought tolerant and deer resistant round out the great characteristics of this must-have perennial.