Description

The soft blue flowers of this plant are a welcome sight in spring! Amsonia tabernaemontana is an upright, clump-former with blackish-gray stems that contrast beautifully with narrow, oval, willow-shaped light to medium green leaves. Clean leaves age to a golden-yellow in fall. Clusters of star-shaped, periwinkle blue flowers top the stems. Tolerates some drought but prefers moist soils. Plant in a happy group for season-long weed suppression. Tends to flop in shade. For a neater appearance, particularly for shade-grown plants, consider cutting back stems by 1/2 to 1/3 after flowering to promote bushy growth and, if desired, a more rounded foliage mound. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Height: 2-3 ft. Spread: 2-3 ft. Growth rate: 16-20″ in 2-3 years; 32-40″ in 5 years (reaches seasonal width and height by early to mid-July) Family: Apocynaceae Bloom time: late May – June Sun: full sun to part shade Water: medium Deer resistant photo credit: F. D. Richards from Clinton, MI