Position – Full sun or part shade
Soil – Moist, well-drained
Flowering Period – Spring and summer
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Amsonia (Eastern bluestar) are clump forming perennials, native to North America but also seen in both Southern Europe and Japan. Attractive star-shaped blooms and dark green weed-suppressing foliage, flowers primarily during the spring and summer months. They are best suited to flower beds and borders within prairie, cottage and informal garden settings. Amsonia can grow between 60-90cm (24-36”) in height and 45cm (18”) in spread. Please take care when handling your Amsonia as it does release a milky sap that can be an irritant to the skin.
Amsonia are best planted in moist, well-drained soil of sand, chalk, loam and clay within an acidic, alkaline or neutral PH balance. Amend the planting area with coarse grit and organic matter to improve drainage. Dig a hole that will accommodate the depth and width of the root ball and position your plant into place. Water thoroughly and deeply to settle the roots into place. After planting, spread an 8cm (3”) layer of organic mulch to prevent water evaporation. Amsonia can be positioned in full sun but their flower colour can be enhanced in a partly shaded spot.
During summer, Amsonia will require a regular watering schedule, especially during periods of drought to prevent stunted growth. Once the flowers have diminished, feed each plant with compost and cut back to a height of 10 inches.
It is possible to propagate Amsonia by division during spring, softwood cuttings during summer or by seed in the autumn. Handle this plant with care and wear protective gloves when removing/dividing this plant.
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