Dwarf Blazing Star (Liatris cylindracea) is a petite, drought-hardy species native to the dry prairies, glades, and rocky outcrops of the central and eastern United States, where its deep taproot allowed it to persist through challenging conditions. Unlike the taller prairie Liatris types, L. cylindracea stays low and compact, often producing short, sturdy flower spikes lined with cylindrical clusters of vivid purple blooms that open from the top down and draw in bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its narrow, grass-like leaves form a tidy basal clump, giving it a clean, architectural look ideal for small gardens or rocky sites. To grow Dwarf Blazing Star successfully, plant seeds in full sun and sharply drained soil, and allow for natural winter stratification or chill the seeds before sowing; though slow to establish, it becomes a tough, long-lived perennial that rewards gardeners with dependable, eye-catching late-summer color.