Species blue star Guide
light-blue flowers with lime-green leaves and stems

blue star

Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Montana'

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Blue Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

gold,green,yellow,tan

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Easy

watering

Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Montana') should be watered moderately. During the spring and summer, the plant should be watered around once a week, depending on the temperature and how quickly the soil dries out. In the autumn, water should only be given every 2 weeks (or less). During the winter, Blue Star doesn't need to be watered as it enters a state of dormancy, meaning it should only be watered every 2-3 months. Make sure your soil is well-draining, so the roots don't sit in moist soil too long, as this could cause root rot.

sunlight

Blue Star plants (Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Montana') prefer to receive full sun, or 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, during the spring and summer months. During the autumn and winter, they need at least 4 hours of direct sun each day. Too much shade may cause the plant’s foliage to become weak and leggy. Although Blue Star plants may tolerate partial shade, they should not be planted in shady locations or overly shaded areas.

pruning

Blue star plants should be pruned twice a year, once in late winter or early spring and again in mid-summer. For both pruning sessions, remove up to 1/3 of the oldest stems at their base. This will help the plant to maintain a compact form, prevent it from becoming too woody, and promote branching and the production of flowers. Dead or damaged stems should also be removed as needed.