Common Name: blue star
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Apocynaceae
Native Range: Arkansas, Oklahoma
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Powdery blue
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Rain Garden
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Good Fall
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best fall foliage color usually occurs in full sun, but flowers generally last longer if given some afternoon shade in hot sun areas. Stems tend to open up and flop in too much shade, however. Consider cutting back the stems by about 6" after flowering to help keep stems upright and to shape plants into a nice foliage mound.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Amsonia hubrichtii, commonly called threadleaf bluestar or Hubricht's bluestar, is herbaceous perennial that is native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas. It is very similar in appearance to the Missouri native Amsonia ciliata, except the leaves of A. hubrichtii are more narrow and thread-like and the emerging foliage lacks conspicuous hairiness. An erect, clump-forming plant that is primarily grown in cultivation for its blue spring flowers, feathery green summer foliage and golden fall color. Powdery blue, 1/2" star-like flowers appear in terminal clusters in late spring atop stems rising to 3' tall. Feathery, soft-textured, needle-like, alternate leaves are bright green in spring and summer, but turn bright gold in autumn. From a distance plants have an almost lily-like appearance.
Genus name honors 18th-century Virginian physician Dr. Charles Amson.
Specific epithet honors Leslie Hubricht (1908-2005), American biologist who first discovered it growing in the wild in the early 1940s.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Plants may flop, particularly if not cut back after flowering.
Uses
Borders, rock gardens, native plant garden, cottage garden or open woodland area. Best when massed.