Downy Amsonia Amsonia ciliata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-SO-nee-uh sil-ee-ATE-uh
- Description
-
Blue Star is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the dogbane family that is native to the southeast and west to Texas. It is generally found in sandy soils, where it does best. It typically grows to 1-2’ tall but can be pruned back to 8"-10" above the ground after it flowers to help give it a more compact rounded shape. In addition to its lovely blue spring flowers, the foliage adds an airiness to the garden and then has lovely yellow fall color. For the longest-lasting flowers, give the plant some afternoon shade. Fall color is best when grown in full sun. The stems may flop with too much shade.
Blue Star prefers sandy very well-drained soils in full sun but will tolerate light shade. To much shade will cause flopping of the flower stem and poor fall color.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Courtyard Entrance Garden A Sampling of Shade Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Georgia Pancake'
- 'Halfway to Arkansas'
Leaves turn gold in the fall, later than other blue stars - var. tenuifolia
Lower growing with finer texture
- 'Georgia Pancake'
- 'Georgia Pancake', 'Halfway to Arkansas', var. tenuifolia
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Georgia Pancake'
- 'Halfway to Arkansas'
Leaves turn gold in the fall, later than other blue stars - var. tenuifolia
Lower growing with finer texture
- 'Georgia Pancake'
- 'Georgia Pancake', 'Halfway to Arkansas', var. tenuifolia
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amsonia
- Species:
- ciliata
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, FL, GA, MO, NC, OK, SC, TX
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Insect pests, diseases
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are born in narrow, erect follicles that dry and split open as the fruit matures. Appear in pairs.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Individual star-shaped flowers have 5 blue petals and are borne in loose terminal panicles. Blooms in April.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1-2 inches long needle-like green leaves are alternate and sessile. The fall color is an attractive yellow. New leaves have a fringe of hairs hence the common name.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are upright with fine hairs. Have a milky sap when broken
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
