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A compact, medium perennial with willow-like leaves and, in late spring, lots of blue tubular flowers. The fruit are slender follicles
containing seed with a corky exterior layer which probably allows them to float on periodic floods. It is herbaceous so the above-ground part of the plant dies in winter, but it is still interesting in winter because most of the fruit remains on the plant.
Eastern Bluestar is normally found in moist slope forests and floodplain forests in the south from Texas to Illinois to Virginia. It is classified by USDA-Plants as a facultative wetland plant in the southeast but in cultivation it does well in average to moist soil. Although described as a plant for full to partial sun, it does well in very little direct sun. The Kemper Center for Home Gardening says it may need pruning when grown in fertile soil or in shade, but our plants have remained compact in a variety of growth conditions. We recommend it highly as a border or foundation plant and, of course, in a native garden.
Amsonia is a member of the Apocyanaceae, the Dogbane Family. The family now contains Asclepias (Milkweed), Gonolobus (Anglepod), and Matelia (Spinypod) that used to be in their own family, Asclepiadaceae. It has white latex and
follicle fruits typical of plants in the family. Both Radford et al. (1968) and Weakley (2005) are doubtful that Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia and var. tabernaemontana deserve separate varietal status because they have the same native range and intermediate forms are found thoughout the range.
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Images by Wayne Hughes ©SparkleberrySprings.com
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