Scaly blazing star is a wonderful species that can handle the hot and dry conditions we are experiencing at the present time. It is a small species, growing to 1 to at most 2' tall, mostly about 18", and will remain in flower for several weeks to more than a month. This species has a hairy stem and almost linear, alternate leaves that are 4 - 6" near the base and decrease in size as they occur up the stem. Each individual flower head is about an inch in diameter with tubular disk florets and no ray florets. It will grow in neutral or somewhat acidic soils and likes it dry, well-drained and even rocky or sandy soils. It definitely needs full sun. The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees, butterflies, and skippers. The foliage is eaten by a variety of mammals including deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and domestic stock. Good companion plants are wild petunia, nodding wild onion, butterfly milkweed, and black-eyed Susan's. It does have some medicinal uses primarily as a diuretic.
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