Species blue star
Narrow green leaves and blue flowers on green stems.

blue star

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia

Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia) is an incredible native perennial that brightens up gardens throughout the summer. Bright star-shaped blue flowers are combined with shiny, willow-like foliage that supports the upright habit of this easy-to-care-for plant. This drought-tolerant beauty blooms in late spring, and its yellow and orange fall colors provide lasting interest in the garden. It draws birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Versatile and hardy, Blue Star is an amazing specimen that adds texture and vibrant colors to any planting palette.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Pale blue with white throats Flowers In Spring

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,tan

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The best way to water Blue Stars is to give them a good soaking every 7-10 days, allowing the soil to dry out completely in between sessions. Depending on the container and soil being used, you may need to water more or less frequently. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil for dryness 1-2 inches down before you water again. If the soil isn’t dry, wait a few more days before watering. It’s important to note that Blue Stars can suffer from overwatering so it’s important to be mindful of your watering. Furthermore, be sure to always water at the base of the plant to avoid water loss from evaporation.

sunlight

Blue Star requires full sun to partial shade for best performance. It should be planted in a location that gets about 6 to 8 hours of direct sun during peak growing season, and should be protected from the hot afternoon sun during the hottest months. Partial shade during mid-day and early afternoon is best for this species to protect it from too much direct sun.

pruning

Blue Star should be pruned immediately after flowering in late spring. This species generally doesn’t respond well to pruning and should be kept to a minimum. The main pruning that should be done is removing any dead or damaged stems or branches, and occasionally cutting them back to a lateral bud at the base of the plant. This will help promote increased lateral branching and overall bushier growth. This species also benefits from a light shaping and thinning once a year in early spring, before the new shoots emerge. This will also help to control the size of the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May.

Hardiness Map