Amsonia 'Blue Ice'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-SO-nee-uh
- Description
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'Bue Ice' Bluestar is an herbaceous perennial with lavender-blue flowers in the dogbane family. Although the parentage of this hybrid is uncertain, the foliage and flowers look most like A. tabernaemontana, with the main difference being that 'Blue Ice' is more compact and has darker blue flowers. Stems contain a toxic milky sap which helps deter rabbits and deer damage.
In late spring to early summer the stems are topped with clusters of star-shaped blue flowers. The foliage remains attractive in summer and turns yellow in fall. Grow in average moist but well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Mature plants are fairly drought tolerant. Use as a border plant or in groups in the perennial garden or woodland edges.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amsonia
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators to the flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Dark blue buds open to star-shaped blue to lavender-blue flowers in clusters in late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Willow-shaped green leaves that turn yellow in fall
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multi-branched stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
