Amsonia tabernaemontana
Eastern bluestar, Blue dogbane, Willow amsonia
- Height × spread
- 0.8m × 0.9m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This subtle plant has blue bell shaped clusters of starry flowers. These are produced during May and June. The flowers are held on slender upright bright green stems carrying the bright green slender leaves. The resemblance of the foliage to that of willows gives rise to the popular name 'willow amsonia'. In autumn there is lovely yellow leaf colour before it falls. It needs placing with care but looks good amongst grasses. The plant stands 60-90cm (2-3ft) in height and makes a good domed shape.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.