Blue Star Flower Amsonia tabernaemontana

Eastern bluestar is a native herbaceous perennial in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) native to central and eastern North America and found most often in wet, sandy, rich, open and rocky woods and thickets. The Genus name honors Dr. John Amson, an English physician and amateur botanist who lived and worked in Williamsburg, Virginia during the colonial period. The specific epithet honors Jakob Theodor von Bergzabern (d. 1590) who Latinized his name as Tabernaemontanus.

This plant will grow 2-3 feet tall and wide in an erect clumping form in full sun to partial shade. Too much shade may cause the plant to flop and need staking. Cutting the stems back after flowing will create a more rounded, neater appearance.  Plant in well-drained moist to occasionally wet soils. Drought tolerant once established and resistant to damage by deer and other herbivores due to the foliage containing a toxic white latex. When propagating by seed, the seedlings will germinate quickly, but the plant will not flower until the second year. Division can be accomplished in spring or fall when the plant is dormant, ensuring each division has at least one eye. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding.

Clusters of 3/4", light blue, star-like flowers open in late spring atop erect, leafy stems. Its narrow, willow-shaped, dull green foliage may turn yellow in fall. The flowers are followed by elongated, pod-like fruits containing hard, black seeds that can be used for propagation.

This plant was selected as the 2006 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Use eastern bluestar in the border or in groups in native, pollinator, cutting or cottage gardens.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems. Rust may occur.

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.