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Wideleaf Blue-stars Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana

Phonetic Spelling
am-SO-nee-ah tab-er-nay-mon-TAY-nah tab-er-nay-mon-TAY-nah
Description

A variation of Amsonia tabernaemontana, Wildleaf Blue-stars is a wider-leafed perennial that is found in moist, floodplain forests and along rich slopes.

Planting in a sunny location will require less maintenance.  Pruning and/or staking will not be required.  The plant will tend to be more open in part shade, may require staking to prevent a floppy appearance.  Cutting the plant back after flowering will result in a fuller appearance.  

2006 NC Wildflower of the Year. It has a beautiful yellow fall color.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Rust can be an issue.

More information on Amsonia tabernaemontana.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#slopes#deer resistant#herbaceous perennials#native wildflower#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#clay soils tolerant#Audubon#woodland garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#slopes#deer resistant#herbaceous perennials#native wildflower#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FAC#Coastal FACW#clay soils tolerant#Audubon#woodland garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amsonia
    Species:
    tabernaemontana
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    Hummingbirds seek out the nectar.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Screening
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Not edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
    Soil pH:
    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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from August to September
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Large clusters of pale blue star-shaped flowers bloom in the spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    This variation of Amsonia tabernaemontana has a wider leaf.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Dry Soil