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Amsonia tabernaemontana |
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| Common name |
blue stars |
| Family |
apocynaceae |
| Life cycle |
perennial |
| Flowers |
blue, late spring |
| Size |
2-3' |
| Light |
full sun-part shade |
| Cultural notes |
not fussy |
From seed  |
Sow outside in late fall, or give 8 wks cold and germinate at warm room temperature. Rarely self-sows in our garden.
detailed seed-starting info below
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| Seed ripens | late September |
Upright plant with narrow glossy leaves, stays attractive throughout the gardening season. Clusters of blue flowers from May into June. The earliest blue star to return and to bloom in spring, it's a robust, easy-care perennial for the middle of the border.
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| | This one came to us, from a plant swap, labeled as 'White Flower Farm selection', which probably means the 'Blue Ice' cultivar. So far, it's stayed smaller, and blooms later with larger, more loosely arranged flowers than the species. |
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| | Long upright seedpods form in late summer |
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| | Some amsonias are known for their flashy fall foliage. This one's yellow leaves are OK, but not stunning |
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| | New growth on 'Blue Ice', late April |
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In our garden, this plant grows in the following areas: back yard island, side garden, orchard nursery area, sale plot See comparative information about amsonias in our garden Seed for this plant is included on my seed trade list One or more images of this plant are included in my stock photo catalog About my plant portraits
PlantLinks to other web pages about Amsonia tabernaemontana
Some particularly helpful links to other websites
Visitors to this page have left the following comments| pussytoe :)) | Apr 24, 2009 | i love it |
| Raymond | Apr 29, 2009 | Rob,
I am looking for Amsonia Tabernaemontana seed or plants. Do you sell either?
Thanks,
Raymond
I only sell plants at my local plant sale. For seeds, see my seed trade page and the link at the top of that page. |
| Barbara | Oct 28, 2009 | This is a lovely plant when it blooms and is definitely deer-resistant, but has a tendency to overwhelm its neighbors in late summer and early fall, and it self-sows profusely. Choose its location wisely.
I guess it all depends on where it's planted. I see very occasional self-sowing of this amsonia, and mine don't push beyond their allotted space. You must have more favorable conditions for its growth and propagation. |
- Seed garden '02. No germination: 12wks at 65F, then to pot outside in early spring
- Seed garden '03. A: Baggy 35F (12w)-65F( 55%G, 7-16d).
B: Pot outside late November. 40%G, early May.
- 4/23: noticed volunteer seedlings for the first time
- Seed from '06 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (6w; 5%G, 26d) - 75F (55%G, 2-14d)
- Seed from '07 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (6d) - 75F (67%G, 6-12d)
- Seed from '08 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 75F (69%G, 6-10d)
Odd-shaped cylindrical seed. Rest assured - each piece is really a seed! Needs slightly warmer than room temperature to germinate after the cold treatment.
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Last modified:
April 11, 2009
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