James H. Schutte
Family
Apocynaceae
Botanical Name
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Plant Common Name
Eastern Bluestar
General Description
A shrubby wildflower from the eastern United States, eastern bluestar offers loads of delicate, starry blue flowers in late spring to early summer. Its dense, bushy appearance and crisp, green leaves continue to look attractive through fall. A native of open forests as well as meadows, this herbaceous perennial thrives in both full sun and partial shade locations.
The lance-shaped, rich green leaves of eastern bluestar are smooth and sometimes glossy. The upright stems are hairless and emit white, milky latex if cut or damaged. Towards the end of spring or in early summer, the stem tips become covered with clusters of starry flowers with five slender petals that funnel down into a tubular throat. Butterflies and other insect pollinators visit the blooms and elongated, upright seedpods, which turn from green to tan, follow. The seed pods remain visually interesting through to fall but should be cut back if volunteer plants are not desired.
This carefree wildflower grows well in full sun or partial shade, though it tends to be leggier and less bushy when grown in lower light. Fertile loams or sandy soils with average to good moisture are preferred. The seedheads may be cut back midseason to keep plants from self-sowing, but this is a messy process because of the copious amounts of natural latex the plants emit. Trimmed plants will develop a new flush of foliage by fall.
This is a pretty wildflower for informal beds and wildflower gardens. Its foliage is the larval food for the coral hairstreak butterfly (Satyrium titus), so it also makes a great addition to butterfly gardens.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
10 - 1
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 10
-
Plant Type
Perennial
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
-
Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
-
Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
-
Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
-
Native To
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam
-
Growth Rate
Medium
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Clump-Forming
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Light Blue
-
Fruit Color
Green, Tan
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Yellow Green
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Mixed Border, Wildflower
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Attracts
Butterflies
-
Self-Sowing
Yes
