By Bodie Pennisi
University of
Georgia
It may be named for its blue flowers, but its golden yellow foliage makes the Arkansas blue star a memorable 2009 Georgia Gold Medal Winner.
Although it is native to the south-central United States, Arkansas blue star (Amsonia hubrectii) has not been widely available in the nursery trade until recently. However, once gardeners and landscapers discover the wonderful qualities of this plant, they will wonder how it could have been overlooked for so long.
Arkansas blue star is a clumping herbaceous perennial, reaching 3 feet tall and wide. Numerous upright shoots bearing thread-like leaves emerge from the base and have a delicate, feather-like appearance. In spring, light-blue, star-shaped flowers with yellow centers are borne along the upper portions of the stem and last three to four weeks. The early flowers are the most visible, while the foliage often masks those formed later.
The real show begins in the fall when the foliage turns golden yellow and literally glows when the sun strikes it. It’s a showstopper when planted in groups of three or more plants and backed up by taller evergreens, ornamental grasses or plants with burgundy foliage, like pink loropetalum. After the fall display, the foliage turns brown but continues to add winter interest in the landscape.
Cut back Arkansas blue star in early spring to make way for new shoots originating from the base. The plant is moderately slow to get started, but, like fine wine, it improves with age. As parent clumps age, the plant fills out and becomes more attractive as the number of shoots from the base of the plant increases.
Once it is established, Arkansas blue star is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. It’s also deer tolerant, a feature a growing number of gardeners look for today.
Use Arkansas blue star in rock gardens, perennial borders or meadows. It is propagated from seed, summer stem cuttings or division.
Arkansas blue star should be planted in full sun to partial shade. It’s hardy in zones four to 10.
(Bodie Pennisi is a Cooperative Extension horticulturist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.) |
