Bluestar

Amsonia is one of those plants that will make people stop in their tracks and ask what it is. At its peak in mid- to late spring, amsonia is adorned by stunning clusters of powder blue flowers. The show doesn't stop there, however. Its mound of foliage remains attractive all summer long, and as fall approaches, it turns a lovely golden hue. Although the seed pods that develop are attractive, remove them before they mature to prevent self-seeding.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

3-9

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

1-4 feet tall

Plant Width:

1-4 feet wide

Flower Color:

Steel or powder blue star-shape flowers

Bloom Time:

Blooms mid- to late spring

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Privacy

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Fall Color,Attracts Butterflies,Drought Tolerant,Tolerates Wet Soil,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Arkansas bluestar

Amsonia hubrectii grows 2-3 feet high with fine feathery chartreuse foliage. Powder blue flowers are borne midspring, and the plant turns golden in fall. Zones 5-9
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Downy bluestar

Amsonia ciliata offers fine-textured, feathery leaves on a 2- to 3-foot-tall mounded plant. It adds great color to the garden thanks to the silvery, fuzzy hairs that appear on new leaves and plant stems. Zones 5-9
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Shining bluestar

Amsonia illustris features shiny, leathery leaves. Swallowtail butterflies love the nectar of the steel blue flowers. Zones 5-9
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Willowleaf bluestar

Amsonia tabernaemontana salicifolia grows 3-4 feet tall and has a lovely, upright habit. Cut back plants immediately after their blue flowers appear in late spring to prevent self-seeding and to prevent plants from becoming floppy. Zones 3-9
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Garden Plans

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Summer-Blooming Front Yard Cottage Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Catmint

The billowy mounds of 'Walker's Low' or 'Six Hills Giant' catmint produce their first cycle of bloom at the same time as amsonia. Their purplish-blue blooms make a wonderful companion to those of amsonia.

Iris

Deep-purple 'Caesar's Brother' Siberian iris creates a lovely foil for amsonia. The grasslike, vertical iris leaves contrast beautifully with the feathery mounds of amsonia foliage.

Veronica

The pink, blue, or white spires of spike speedwell shine when placed in front of amsonia. The first flush of bloom coincides with that of amsonia, and later cycles use amsonia foliage as a backdrop.

Propagation

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Seed
Division