SCIENTIFIC NAME: Amsonia tabernaemontana

COMMON NAME: Willow amsonia, blue stars

FAMILY: Apocynaceae

TYPE: perennial

LEAVES: alternate, willow like, lanceolate, sessile to stem, entire, evenly spaced along stem

FLOWER: pale blue 1/2-1/4" star flowers clustered in groups of five

GROWTH HABIT: 1-3' wide up to 3' height, spreading and erect

SOIL: moist soil is ideal

SUN: full sun to part shade, prefers afternoon shade

UTILIZATION: perennial borders, naturalized areas, mass planting

DISEASES: none serious

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: seed, spring cuttings, division

MAINTENANCE: pruning to maintain shape

NOTES: one of the few herbaceous species that provides good fall color, leaves turn golden yellow until frost