Amsonia tabernaemontana (Blue Star)

Selected by the American Horticultural Society as one of the 75 Great Plants for American Gardens, Amsonia tabernaemontana (Blue Star) is an exceptional perennial with early-season blue flowers, attractive summer foliage, a sturdy habit, and golden fall color. Amsonia tabernaemontana features clusters of delicate, pale blue, star-shaped flowers on erect, sturdy, leafy stems in late spring – early summer. The flowers attract long-tongued insects such as carpenter bees, hummingbird moths, and butterflies. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are also attracted to the nectar. The blossoms rise above a graceful, willow-shaped, upright foliage that pleasantly colors up in the fall. This beauty is also low maintenance, disease and insect resistant, making this eastern U.S. native a first-rate garden plant.

• Clump forming, Blue Star grows up to 24-36 in. tall and wide (60-90 cm). It will slowly increase in size over time without becoming invasive.
• Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Thrives in loamy, moist soils (but not soggy)! Once established, this plant is somewhat drought tolerant.
• Undemanding and virtually pest-free and disease-free, Blue Star is a welcomed addition to borders, shade gardens, prairie plantings, or cottage gardens. Best visual impact in mass plantings.
• Deer resistant, clay tolerant.
• If grown in full sun, this plant will not require staking or pruning. In part shade, this plant tends to flop. Therefore, it will need to be pruned or staked. Cut back by 30% to 50% after flowering to maintain shape, prevent the plant from flopping over, and promote bushy growth.
• Contact with the milky sap may cause skin irritation.
• Native to the USA