Amsonia hubrechtii

Common Name(s):

Arkansas amsonia, Blue star, Hubricht's amsonia

Category:

Perennials

Comment:

Amsonia hubrechtii is a low maintenance, uncommon herbaceous prennial in the Apocynaceae family. It is native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas.  It is similar to  Amsonia ciliata, except the leaves of A. hubrichtii are more narrow and thread-like and the emerging foliage lacks conspicuous hairiness.  Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade it forms erect clumps with feathery green foliage.     The best golden fall color will occur in full sun but its  beautiful powdery blue purple flowers last longer if the plant is given some afternoon shade.  Stems do grow lanky and tend to flop over with too much shade.  Cut back the stems by about 6" after flowering to help keep stems upright and to shape plants into a nice foliage mound.  From far away their form resembles lily plants.  Blue star looks great planted in mass and would make an excellent addition to a rain, rock, or cottaage garden.

Seasons of Interest:

    Bloom:  Spring, April-May

Wildlife Value:  Flowers attract butterflies.  Is deer resistant.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or diesease problems.  Plants can flop over with too much shade so cut back after flowering.

Height:

2-3 ft.

Flower Color:

Powdery blue

Exposure:

Full sun to partial shade

Soil:

Well drained

Regions:

South Central US

Origin:

Arkansas

Tags:

cpp, showy flowers, low maintenance, deer resistant, cottage garden, rock garden, rain garden, butterflies

NCCES plant id: 3268