It forms new stalks each year as the old ones die when there's a hard freeze. I leave mine up after freeze until it looks ratty and then cut it down to near ground level, but you could cut it back as soon as the foliage dies. In a year with little early snow, that might be in December, but in years with a lot of snow, it gets buried and I cut it back in spring before it starts sprouting. Mine had an unusual amount of red in it this year. Most years it is a lovely clear gold. From October, 2013 This post was edited by nhbabs on Fri, Dec 13, 13 at 6:38

Sometimes we all get tired of certain plants and if it doesn't work for you, by all means rip it out. I've done that with plants that I'm tired of fussing over. For me, it's the drought-tolerance, deer and rabbit resistance and the fact that it is the greenest foliage in my perennial garden this time of year (as we hit 104 degrees today). When cutting back amsonia, wear gloves as the sap can be irritating to the skin. I just slope the sides and mound the shape to keep it upright. The main one that I trim is also supported by ground cover of eupatorium 'Wayside' that is lush and blooming those cute misty blue flowers right now. That amsonia is also hiding the knees of monarda 'Raspberry Wine' on the slope above it and is flanked on one side by persicaria 'fire tail' in front of eupatorium 'chocolate'. The other side are native Joe Pye and solidago. Just pack those plants in there around it. Since amsonia blooms so early, i shape it before the companions get up around it. Cameron

Amsonia hub. needs full sun and space. Mine were in too much shade, crowded and were thinning. A move to full sun solved the problem.

OOOOH, I am jealous. That is one of those natives that i lust over but I do not know if if will take the dry alkalinity of Central Texas. We have a small amsonia native to Texas but I think they like it around streams and in the low lands. Are you in a dry place. Tell me about your gardens conditions that make this baby so Happy. This is one of those plants that I see in mailorder catalogues and my had twitches. I can't water too much and I am not into undo plant protection. That is why I plant natives.