A Perennial That Always Puts on a Show

The 2011 Perennial of the Year – Amsonia hubrichtii has been a conversation piece in our garden for years.  It starts blooming in early spring with blue star-like flowers and continues for 6 – 8 weeks.  In the summer after it’s done blooming its fern-like foliage looks great in the garden with Ornamental Grasses and contrasting plants. In the fall this plant once again stops people in their tracks with its golden yellow foliage.

Amsonia (also known as Blue Star) does well in full sun to part shade conditions. Amsonia is a native of Arkansas and Oklahoma. It prefers evenly moist conditions but once established does not tend to need watering. It grows 3 ft. by 3 ft. and reminds me of a small shrub in the garden.  I’ve never seen a pest or disease on this plant which helps to make it a low maintenance plant.  It just needs to be cut-back at the end of November.

When autumn comes you’ll be amazed that the same plant that wowed people in the Spring will do just that all over again! It’s golden yellow Fall foliage is sure to stand out and looks great combined with dark foliage plants, or even black Pansies.  Amsonia is a plant for all seasons and a garden conversation piece that would look great in any garden.