'Blue Ice' Blue Star Amsonia 'Blue Ice'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-SO-nee-uh
- Description
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'Bue Ice' Bluestar is an herbaceous perennial in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)and the parentage of this hybrid is uncertain.
The plant has a more compact habit, reaching 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Grow in average moist but well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Mature plants are fairly drought-tolerant.
The foliage and flowers look most 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.
Use as a border plant or in groups in the perennial, pollinator or cottage garden or along woodland edges.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems but watch for fungal diseases.
- 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. - 2 ft. 0 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
