blue star
Amsonia tabernaemontana
MBG Plant of Merit 2015
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall2 to 3 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Blue
- Foliage color
- Green
- Fall color
- Yes
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) is a perennial for borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to wet soil of most types. Blue, star-shaped flowers open in clusters at the stem tips and draw butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Deer tend to pass it by. Cut the plant back after it flowers, and the leaves turn golden-yellow in fall.
Pairs well with Blue wild indigo, Switchgrass, and Black-eyed Susan.
Native range
Central United States.