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'Storm Cloud' Bluestar Amsonia tabernaemontana

Flower Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
Mature Size
2'6" 3'6" 76cm 1.1m
Height: 2' - 2'6"
Spread: 3'2" - 3'6"
Height: 61cm - 76cm
Spread: 97cm - 1.1m
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  • Details

    24 - 30 Inches
    30 - 36 Inches
    38 - 42 Inches
    61cm - 76cm
    76cm - 91cm
    97cm - 1.1m

    Features

    Watch in spring as incredibly dark stems emerge from the ground. Olive green leaves have silver veins. Star-shaped, periwinkle blue flowers appear atop of the wide, mounding, shrub-like habit.

    Award Winner
    Heat Tolerant
    Resists: 
    Deer
    Native to North America

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Perennial
    Height Category: 
    Medium
    Garden Height: 
    24 - 30 Inches 61cm - 76cm
    Spacing: 
    30 - 36 Inches 76cm - 91cm
    Spread: 
    38 - 42 Inches 97cm - 1.1m
    Flower Colors: 
    Blue
    Flower Shade: 
    Periwinkle blue
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Shade: 
    Olive green
    Habit: 
    Mounded
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Part Sun to Sun

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Spring
    Hardiness Zones: 
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Soil Fertility Requirement: 
    Average Soil
    Soil Fertility Requirement: 
    Fertile Soil
    Soil Fertility Requirement: 
    Poor Soil
    Soil PH Category: 
    Neutral Soil
    Uses: 
    Border Plant
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses: 
    Specimen or Focal Point
    Uses Notes: 

    Growing Guide - Amsonia

    Maintenance Notes: 

    Grows best in full sun to part shade and average, moist soil. Moderately drought tolerant once established. Thrives in most gardens with little care.

  • 6 Reviews

    5
    5
    4
    3
    1
    2
    1
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • Purchased in 2020 and is the prettiest low maintenance plant I've ever grown. Mine is set to canopy over a clematis and the two work very well together.

      Belinda
      , Maine
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • I have 4 of these plants & love the them, the little flowers are beautiful & 2 have grown & bush out, the other 2 not so good. I believe it’s because of the area they are in. The trees have made my sun garden now a shade garden!!! When would be a good time of the year to transplant them to a sunny area. I’m in zone 6. Thank you Joan Mach

      Joan Mach
      , Missouri
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • Purchased this as a bare-root plant via a favorite on-line grower in Iowa last winter. It was shipped in late April 2020 and planted immediately. Within a few weeks the plant had become robust and was setting a few buds. Those buds became lovely blue star-shaped blossoms in my landscape, which added an unusual and attractive visual interest. These Amsonia (aka Star Struck) require little care, yet have an outstanding presence with the foliage the entire growing season. After the first heavy frost I simply cut them back close to the ground. I did mulch the first year, but do not plan to do so unless necessary for water retention.

      Unique, easy care and so attractive
      , Nebraska
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • I have two of these wonderful plants, which are located in part shade and come up every year and bloom beautifully. I cut them way back in the fall and they "erupt" each spring with strong stems, very interesting leaves and clusters of baby blue flowers. Passersby stop and admire them. I wonder if I can divide them? I'd love to distribute them all over the yard. There are so few perennials that really love part shade.

      Linda S Callegari
      , Pennsylvania
      , United States
      , 3 years ago
    • I bought this plant from a local nursery in 2019. It survived the SE Michigan winter. It flowered without any issues in Spring 2020. I like it most because it's mostly a Summer & Fall foliage filler in my landscape without any diseases or bugs to worry about

      Linda Shafto
      , Michigan
      , United States
      , 4 years ago
    • I planted two of these, one late autumn 2017, and one mid-summer 2018. The planted-2017 grew, had foliage, didn't bloom though until spring of 2019. The planted-2018 bloomed in 2019. Both have done really well, but the planted-2018 plant is stronger, healthier, and its blooms were far more numerous, the foliage fuller. The difference may be that the healthier one is planted in a close to full sun place, whereas the other is planted in an almost part shade spot. The plant is extraordinary, regardless.

      Marcia Erwin
      , Missouri
      , United States
      , 5 years ago
  • 2 Awards

    Award Year Award Plant Trial
    2022 Top Performer Michigan State University
    2021 Top Performer - Perennial Mississippi State University - Crystal Springs
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