Blue Star Amsonia hubrichtii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Blue Star:
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-SO-nee-uh hew-BRIK-tee-eye
- Description
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Blue star is an uncommon herbaceous perennial in the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family. It is native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas and Oklahoma, where it was discovered in the early 1940s by Leslie Hubricht. A slow grower, it may take 1 to 2 years before this plant's true beauty can be seen. It forms erect clumps with feathery green foliage, making it an excellent backdrop for low-growing annuals and perennials.
In the spring it produces clusters of blue star-like flowers followed by slender, elongated seed pods. It is prized for its great fine texture and bright yellow fall color.
Blue star is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It will tolerate poor soils and some drought. The plant will become floppy if grown in too much shade or too rich soils. Use in borders, rock gardens, open woodlands, and in mass plantings.
Named perennial of the year in 2011 by the Perennial Plant Association.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Plants can flop over with too much shade, so cut back after flowering. Caution should be used when cutting back, as the milky white sap can cause skin irritation.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Retaining Wall Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Arkansas Amsonia
- Blue Star
- Arkansas Amsonia
- Arkansas Amsonia, Blue Star
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Arkansas Amsonia
- Blue Star
- Arkansas Amsonia
- Arkansas Amsonia, Blue Star
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amsonia
- Species:
- hubrichtii
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Arkansas to Oklahoma
- Distribution:
- South Central US
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies. Is deer resistant.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- 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
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Attractive, narrow beanlike pods form after flowering.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Terminal clusters of 1/2 inch blue star-shaped flowers occur in spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The soft, needle-like leaves become a beautiful golden fall color when grown in full sun. They are very narrow and 2-3 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green branched stems. Have a milky sap when broken
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
