Threadleaf Blue Star Amsonia hubrichtii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-SO-nee-uh hew-BRIK-tee-eye
- Description
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This low maintenance plant is an uncommon herbaceous perennial in the Apocynaceae family. It is native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas, where it was discovered in the early 1940's by Leslie Hubricht. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. 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 blue star-like flowers; after flowering, slender, elongated seed pods form.
From a distance, this plant may resemble a lily plant. It is prized for its great fine texture and bright yellow fall color. Use in borders, rock gardens, as a native plant, in open woodlands, and in mass plantings.
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:
- Lake 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:
- 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 Wet
- 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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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers last longer when grown providing some afternoon shade.
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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:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The soft, needle-like leaves become a beautiful golden fall color when grown in full sun.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Too much shade will cause the stems to open up and flop. Cut the stems back to 6" after flowering. Stems may grow up to 3'.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
