Amsonia tabernaemontana / Blue Star (Dogbane Family)

Pale blue, star shaped flowers bloom on top of tall, willowy stems soon after they start emerging from the ground. Leaves turn golden yellow in the fall, which can make a striking effect if planted in groupings. Grows in a tidy, clump forming habit in full sun, but can also be grown in part sun to light shade. Can be pruned by ⅓ after flowering to keep a bushier form. A no fuss plant once established, although it typically takes a couple of years to really turn out.

Blooms: Blue, 3 weeks April-May
Leaves: Bright green, long and narrow, golden yellow fall color
Height: 2-3’
Space: 2-3’
Soil: Average-moist
Exposure: Full Sun- light shade
Fauna: Butterfly nectar plants, host to Coral Hairstreak 
Seeds: 3-4” skinny, green pods filled with brown pellet-like seeds
Deer Resistance:High
Zone: 3-9
Native Status: NC native, common in the Piedmont and Sandhills, uncommon in the Mountains
Provenance: NC ecotype, seed grown