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    • Photo of Amsonia illustris flower by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Amsonia illustris

    Also Known As

    • Shining Blue Star

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 2'-4'
    • W: 1'-3'

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    More Options

    Amsonia illustris plant details

    Amsonia illustris is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring and summer blue flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Amsonia illustris

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: apocynaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
    Flowers: blue blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: fall color

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Amsonia illustris

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and humidity
    Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Blue stars are North American natives with handsome glossy foliage and star-shaped blue flowers. This is a particularly showy species with blue flowers and attractive foliage that turns beautiful fall colours of yellows and oranges. A. illustris comes from the south central US. Deer resistant.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    This clumping perennial has broadly ovate, to lance-shaped leaves of bright green. In late spring to early summer the plants bear open panicles of light blue flowers on erect stems. This specimen will grow to 4' tall and 18" wide.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Gardening facts about Amsonia illustris plant

    How to Grow Amsonia illustris

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - occasional

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • acidic
      • alkaline
      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • blue

    • Wildlife

      • beneficial insects
      • bees
      • butterflies
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Amsonia for your garden

    Amsonia hubrichtii

    aka Amsonia hubrechtii, Amsonia hubrictii, Arkansas Blue Star, Thread Leaf Blue Star

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"-36"

    Width: 12"-36"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amsonia hubrichtii foliage by Far Out Flora
    View Plant

    Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Blue Ice'

    aka Amsonia 'Blue Ice', Amsonia tabernaemontana WFF

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"-24"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Blue Ice' flower by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    Amsonia tomentosa

    aka Amsonia eastwoodiana, Woolly Amsonia, Wooly Bluestar

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    6b-10b

    Size

    Height: 8"-24"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amsonia tomentosa flower, foliage, form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Short Stack'

    aka Amsonia montana 'Short Stack', Dwarf Blue Star, Short Stack Blue Star

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 8"-12"

    Width: 12"-18"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Short Stack' buds by Kristine Paulus
    View Plant

    Amsonia tabernaemontana

    aka Eastern Blue Star

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amsonia tabernaemontana foliage by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens
    View Plant

    More Options

    +12 more Amsonia
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