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Blue Star Amsonia 'Blue Ice'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
am-SO-nee-uh
Description

'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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#blue flowers#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#mass planting#mounding#summer flowers#deer resistant#lavender flowers#pollinator plant#border front#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#blue flowers#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#mass planting#mounding#summer flowers#deer resistant#lavender flowers#pollinator plant#border front#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi-branched stems
  • 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