Eastern Bluestar
Eastern Bluestar
Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) is in the same family as milkweed and like milkweed this beautiful wildflower sustains endangered butterflies and pollinators. The Eastern Bluestar is a spectacular landscaping plant, growing up to three feet in cloudlike clusters. Bluestar stuns in Spring and Summer with bunches of sky-blue star shaped flowers and the foliage turns a vibrant hue of yellow and orange in the Fall. The flowers can be used in cut flower arrangements.
CONDITIONS
A tolerant plant, Bluestar can grow in partial sun but will flower more vibrantly in full sun. bluestar grows best in moist well draining soil and can be found in sandy plains and thin forests. Can tolerate periods of intense moisture as well as dry spells.
BENEFITS
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Large Carpenter Bees, Hummingbird Moths, and a myriad of butterflies will flock to this shrub-like plant. Easy to maintain. The Spring and early Summer flowers are lovely in floral arrangements and the foliage is striking in Fall. Bluestar spreads to a decent 3feetx3feet height once mature. Resistant to deer and many predators.
CARE
You will receive a plant with several sets of leaves and established roots. Dig a hole at least as deep as the root ball and space 36-40 inches apart. Water for the following weeks after the plant is placed in ground. May not flower until year two.
Companion plants include beebalm, swamp rose, bluestem, ironweed, wingstem, milkweed and vervain