Extension Communications |
5/27/04
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
For the week of May 24, 2004
Blue Star is True Blue in the Garden
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
A colorful flower garden can sometimes appear to be the rich reflection of a dazzling rainbow. Few natural settings offer such varied brilliance. In fact, flowers are found in all six colors of the color wheel, exhibiting hundreds of shades. Red, yellow, white and pink are the most prevalent and blue is probably the least common color found in flowers. There are fewer blue flowering annuals than blue flowering perennials.
This week's Reiman's Pick, Amsonia, or blue star, is a true-blue, spring-blooming perennial. It blooms in late May and early June, at the same time as the majority of other blue-flowering perennials, such as flax, iris, delphinium and woodland phlox. Amsonia has pale, powder blue, star-shaped florets arranged in oval clusters that make it a unique addition to any garden.
Blue star, Amsonia tabernaemontana, is also known as willow amsonia or blue dogbane. It is a member of the dogbane, Apocynaceae, family and is native to the eastern United States through western Missouri and Oklahoma. Amsonia is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. It grows well in Iowa and emerges reliably each spring.
Amsonia is a long-lived species with two- to three-foot tall, unbranched, upright stems. Each plant produces dozens of stems in a clump that grows larger in diameter each year. Eventually a planting of three or five plants will fill an area without being aggressive.
Loose clusters of small, light blue, star-shaped flowers form at the ends of each stem giving amsonia plantings the appearance of being draped in a blue baby blanket. After the flowers fade, slender pods form.
Because they are not plagued with insect or disease problems, Amsonia's narrow, glossy, willow-like leaves are dark-green in the summer and remain healthy in appearance throughout the summer. The leaves add another season of interest when they turn bright yellow in the fall.
Amsonia is an excellent low-maintenance perennial that grows well in full sun or partial shade. It is a good transition plant for difficult areas in the garden that either do not receive sun all day or are entirely shady.
Although it prefers moist, fertile soil, amsonia grows in most garden soils. The only care it needs is the removal of the spent blooms in the summer and cutting dead stems back to the ground in late fall. It does not require frequent division to maintain a healthy planting, however, the clumps can be divided in the spring. Plant the divisions, or new plants, 12 to 15 inches apart.
The best place to buy amsonia plants is at local garden club plant sales where gardeners bring divisions from their own garden plants. Occasionally you can find amsonia plants at local garden centers and nurseries or through mail order and on-line sources.
A beautiful amsonia planting can be seen in the Patty Jischke Children's Garden and other perennial gardens at Reiman Gardens. It is not only true-blue in color, but "true blue" in reliability in the garden.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 444K. CUTLINE: Amsonia, also known as blue star, is a low-maintenance perennial that produces beautiful clusters of powder blue, star-shaped flowers in late May through early June. The flowers form at the top of 2- to 3-foot tall stems. Amsonia plants are also attractive in the fall when the leaves turn a brilliant yellow. |