Common Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) blooms in mid-spring with clusters of powder blue star-shaped flowers sitting atop the upright stems. A very popular garden member, this clumping perennial forms a neat and attractive 2-3’ tall plant at maturity. Easy to grow in average soil, Bluestar prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade, and is fairly drought-tolerant once established.
Like many other plants in the Apocynaceae family (dogbanes and milkweeds), the foliage of Bluestar contains a toxic white latex, making it reliably deer and herbivore resistant. Long-lived and adaptable, this native's flowers attract various long-tongued insects, including the Large Carpenter Bee and hummingbird moths. Eastern Bluestar and Blue Dogbane are other commons names for this plant. It is one of several host plants for the Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris difinis). It is adaptable to both clay and sandy soils and is somewhat drought tolerant once established. If grown in shadier conditions the stems may tend to flop over and should be cut to 1/2 their height after flowering to promote bushier growth. Use this plant in native/pollinator gardens, borders, as an accent or mass planted. It can be sited in moist sites such as rain gardens or edges of waterways as well as drier sites.
Natural History: Amsonia prefers rich soil, high organic matter, and moist locations.
Natural Habitat: Moist or wet woods or prairie.
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