Plant spotlight: Blue Star

Posted by Katie Elzer-Peters
June 29th, 2009
Filed in Plant Profiles

One of my favorite plants is the Blue Star, Amsonia taebernaemontana. This perennial wildflower is native to southeastern North America, but is as gorgeous, if not more so, than many cultivated garden plants. While there are many different species of Blue Star, the cultivar ‘Blue Ice’ is a new favorite among home gardeners, and is hardy in zones 4-9. This plant promises three-season interest in the garden. Its lacy foliage is always a nice contrast to the bold leaves of a hosta. The true-blue flowers light up the garden in the spring, and the foliage turns a clear, brilliant yellow in the fall, providing real fall color in the perennial border.

Amsonia has an un-deserved reputation for being difficult to grow. They are difficult to propagate, or multiply, but not difficult to grow. You will rarely see seeds of this for sale, but you can buy plants, and that’s the way to go. Once you have established Blue Star in the garden, it needs very little care throughout the entire growing season. It looks impressive, but is easy to grow.

To keep your Blue Star plants happy, plant them in locations that receive full sun to part shade, and have moderately moist soil. They will bloom during late April to late May, depending upon location, but lend interest to a perennial border all year. Because of its status as a native plant, they are relatively insect-free. For a striking addition to your butterfly garden, native plant garden, or perennial border, try Blue Star!

• Blue Star is available for shipment as a plant from Park Seed