Amsonia hubrichtii / Willow Blue Star

Amsonia’s billowy mounds just about stop traffic, even after the blooms have faded. It has that kind of impact, especially in a sizable mass. Then it looks lovely all summer til it knocks your socks off again in the fall (photo below taken at the Scott Arboretum in November).

It’s native to the rocky outcrops of Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Details

• Hardy to Zones 3-9.Sun or partial shade, but there’s better bloom and height with sun.
• Grows to 2-3 feet high and wide.
• Flowers May-June.

Care

• Established plants are reasonably drought-tolerant, though sources tell us that they generally prefer even moisture.
• After it blooms cut it back to 6 to 8 inches to make it bushier and prevent flopping, shaping the plant mass as you do it (making the outside and front shorter).
• Divide in spring or fall, though it shouldn’t need it for many years.
• It overwinters better if not cut back to the ground in fall, so wait til early spring.