Overview
Amsonia tabernaemontana is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Amsonia, part of the Apocynaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Amsonia tabernaemontana grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is drought resistant. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, rock garden and flower borders and beds. It is native to Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri.
About
Amsonia tabernaemontana, the eastern bluestar, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, found in central and eastern North America. It is valued as an ornamental perennial for its pale blue spring flowers, yellow fall foliage, and adaptability to dry, low-input landscapes. It is native to North America, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia and other regions. Mature plants reach roughly 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Amsonia tabernaemontana
About the genus
Amsonia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1788. It is native primarily to North America with one species in East Asia and another in the eastern Mediterranean. It was named in honor of the American physician John Amson.
Wikipedia contributors, "Amsonia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Amsonia
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Amsonia
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Amsonia tabernaemontana size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Amsonia tabernaemontana
- Cultivation
- Prefers full sun to partial shade; adaptable to various soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand; tolerates moist but well-drained soils; suitable for low-input landscapes; hardy to UK zone H5.
- Pruning
- Cut back in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth and maintain shape.
- Propagation
- Seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring, Divide in spring or early autumn, Root softwood or basal cuttings in early summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Amsonia tabernaemontana?
Prefers full sun to partial shade; adaptable to various soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand; tolerates moist but well-drained soils; suitable for low-input landscapes; hardy to UK zone H5.
Where is the best place to plant Amsonia tabernaemontana?
Amsonia tabernaemontana prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Amsonia tabernaemontana need?
Amsonia tabernaemontana is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How do I prune Amsonia tabernaemontana?
Cut back in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth and maintain shape.
How big does Amsonia tabernaemontana grow?
Amsonia tabernaemontana reaches a height of 0.5-1 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Amsonia tabernaemontana hardy in the UK?
Amsonia tabernaemontana has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Amsonia tabernaemontana?
Seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring, Divide in spring or early autumn, Root softwood or basal cuttings in early summer.
More in the Amsonia genus
Browse all Amsonia →Last updated