Plants in genus amsonia
Amsonia ciliata
Amsonia ciliata, known as fringed bluestar, is a North American native plant with clusters of sky blue flowers in spring. It forms a 3-foot wide clump and is known for its narrow leaves. This plant is rabbit-resistant and thrives in sunny conditions, making it a charming addition to gardens.
Amsonia hubrichtii
Amsonia hubrichtii, a perennial native to Oklahoma and Arkansas, is known for its feathery, narrow leaves that turn gold in fall. It produces powdery blue flowers in spring and thrives in both moist and dry soils. This plant is deer-resistant and does not require frequent division, making it low-maintenance.
Amsonia grandiflora
Amsonia grandiflora is a rare plant native to the high mountainous dry oak woodlands of southern Arizona and Mexico. It grows up to 4,500 feet in elevation and features thread-like green leaves with pale lavender-blue buds that open to large, pure white flowers.
Amsonia rigida
Amsonia rigida is a deer-resistant plant native to the coastal regions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. It thrives in dry conditions and features cinnamon-brown stalks, narrow green leaves, and near-white flowers in early spring. This plant is well-suited for gardens in dry climates.
Amsonia illustris
Amsonia illustris is a tough and long-lived perennial native to streambanks from Missouri to Texas. It features 3-foot tall stems with glossy green, deer-resistant leaves and blooms with light sky-blue flowers in early spring. This plant is ideal for sunny locations and is known for its resilience and ability to attract butterflies.
Amsonia 'Blue Ice'
Amsonia 'Blue Ice' is a native perennial known for its bright blue, star-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring. This compact plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, with dark green foliage that turns a vibrant yellow in the fall. It thrives in full sun to part shade and is effective at crowding out weeds with its dense growth.
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Storm Cloud'
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Storm Cloud' is a low-maintenance perennial known for its striking sky blue flowers and unique black stems upon emergence. This plant forms a compact clump about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, making it a versatile addition to various garden settings. It is deer-resistant and can hybridize with other amsonias, offering a wide range of garden tolerance. 'Storm Cloud' thrives in diverse soil conditions, from very dry to soggy, and performs best with more than 4 hours of sunlight daily. It attracts pollinators like insects and hummingbirds, adding life to any garden space.
Amsonia 'Short Stack'
Amsonia 'Short Stack' is a dwarf plant with a rounded form, growing 10 inches tall and 18 inches wide. It features dark green, deer-resistant foliage and medium sky-blue flowers in early April, making it a charming addition to gardens.
Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia
Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia is a rare native plant from the southeastern United States, known for its soft, needle-like foliage and prostrate stems. This variety of blue star forms a mat up to 3 feet wide and is deciduous in winter. It produces pale blue flowers in spring, adding a delicate touch to gardens. Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for various landscape uses, including as a groundcover.
Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia 'Georgia Pancake'
Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia 'Georgia Pancake' is a unique plant discovered in central Georgia, known for its soft, needle-like foliage and prostrate stems. It forms a mat of bright green foliage up to 2 feet wide, turning golden in fall. This plant produces clusters of pale blue flowers in spring and is deer-resistant, making it a resilient choice for gardens. 'Georgia Pancake' is ideal for sunny locations and adds a touch of color and texture to landscapes.
Amsonia ludoviciana
Amsonia ludoviciana is a rare wetland species native to the southeastern United States, from South Carolina to Louisiana. This plant is hardy to Zone 5 and grows up to 3.5 feet tall, with grey-green leaves that are hairy beneath in spring. It is topped with clusters of sky-blue flowers in May, providing a striking display. Despite its wetland origins, Amsonia ludoviciana is drought-tolerant, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings. It is an excellent option for rain gardens and native plant landscapes.
Amsonia palmeri
Amsonia palmeri is a rare blue star plant native to Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, known for its light blue flowers that bloom in early spring. It features narrow leaves and is a perennial that attracts butterflies. This plant thrives in both sun and light shade, making it versatile for various garden settings.
Amsonia ciliata 'Spring Sky'
Amsonia ciliata 'Spring Sky' is a drought-tolerant native plant forming a 2-foot tall and wide clump. It features sturdy stems with narrow green leaves and sky-blue flowers in spring, with foliage turning golden yellow in fall.
Amsonia orientalis 'Blue Ice'
Amsonia orientalis 'Blue Ice' is a low-maintenance perennial with a 2-foot wide mound of narrow, dark green foliage. It produces large clusters of dark lavender-blue flowers and is deer-resistant, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana is a compact perennial forming a dense mass of smooth, narrow green leaves. It produces numerous flower spikes in mid-April, each with about 100 small sky-blue flowers. This plant is drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies, making it a great choice for sunny garden spots.
Amsonia hubrichtii 'String Theory'
Amsonia hubrichtii 'String Theory' is a dwarf selection known for its light blue flowers in mid-April. It grows to 22 inches tall and three feet wide, with foliage expanding to three feet tall and five feet wide by late summer. This plant is tolerant of both dry and moist soils.
Amsonia 'Seaford Skies'
Amsonia 'Seaford Skies' is a hybrid of Amsonia hubrichtii and Amsonia tabernaemontana, forming a very large, deer-resistant clump. It arches to 5 feet wide and produces sky-blue flowers in early spring. This plant is larger than either parent and features intermediate foliage width, making it a standout in any garden.
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia is a native perennial with narrower leaves than its species. It produces striking blue flowers in late spring, creating a beautiful display. This plant is adaptable to both sun and shade, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Amsonia rigida 'Black's Dwarf'
Amsonia rigida 'Black's Dwarf' is a compact plant discovered in Georgia, known for its black-purple stems and pale blue flowers that bloom in late April. This dwarf variety reaches a height of 15 inches and is suitable for sun to part sun locations. It attracts butterflies and is resistant to deer, making it a great addition to cottage and rock gardens.