About
Amsonia orientalis is a herbaceous perennial that develops a compact mound of upright stems. Its leaves are a muted blue-green hue, transitioning to yellow as autumn arrives. The flower buds exhibit a steely-blue color, eventually unfolding into clusters of blue, five-petaled star-like blooms that persist through late summer. This variant is somewhat shorter than the typical species, growing to about 50 cm, and it forms dense clumps more rapidly.
About the genus
Amsonia consists of perennial plants that grow in clumps and produce a milky sap. They feature elongated, lanceolate leaves and bear clusters of small, star-like blue blooms at the tips during the spring and summer months.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Prairie planting
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade and is fairly drought-tolerant
- Pruning
- Cut back in early winter
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Alternatively propagate by division in spring or by softwood cuttings in early summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free