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Great Design Plant: Hubricht's Bluestar

Billowy, willowy, and with blooms in three seasons, Bluestar makes a cooling, breezy impression in the landscape

June 25, 2012
Houzz Editorial Staff
Comment1
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Stay cool in the garden with Hubricht's Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), a billowy Southeast United States perennial that takes humidity and heat in stride.

When a refreshing summer breeze blows through the landscape, soft, willowy chartreuse foliage ripples in the wind, creating an ephemeral — if only psychologically — cooling effect. Being easily pushed around is a good thing in this case. And with three seasons of distinctly different garden interest to offer, you will never find yourself looking at the same landscape.
Traditional Landscape by J Biochemist
J Biochemist
Botanical name: Amsonia hubrichtii
Common names: Hubricht's Bluestar, Bluestar, Arkansas Amsonia, Hubricht’s Amsonia
USDA zones: 4 to 9 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Medium
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Benefits and tolerances: Flowers attract butterflies; deer tolerant
Seasonal interest: Blooms spring through summer; autumn foliage
When to plant: Plant seeds in spring or fall; divide in spring
by J Biochemist
J Biochemist
Distinguishing traits. Bluestar’s bright, feathery foliage is a voluminous and bushy presence in the garden. It is an upright clumping plant that becomes showier and more attractive with age.

Petite sky-blue flowers arrive in late spring and summer, topping the narrow evergreen foliage. Attractive and ornamental seedheads follow. Bluestar’s bright green foliage shines in the landscape throughout the summer, creating a cooling atmosphere as its willow-like foliage blows in the breeze.
Landscape by Brighton Plants
Brighton Plants
The foliage becomes a radiant gold in fall, making it considered one of the finest Bluestars.
Traditional Landscape by J Biochemist
J Biochemist
How to use it. Bluestar is a great plant to have in your arsenal, as its unique texture, flowers and brilliant fall color create a unique garden view during three seasons of the year.

Scatter Bluestar among grasses or other finely textured plants to create a soft meadow-like landscape that would make Piet Oudolf proud. And when other plants go dormant or reveal their own seasonal color, Bluestar’s clear gold hue is an attractive garden foil. Planted beside rocks, Bluestar creates a soft juxtaposition against the rough texture.

Bluestar’s ability to grow in moist soils makes it an ideal candidate for a rain garden, where tolerance of both extreme drought and moisture is necessary. The plant grows naturally in the Southeast United States and is an attractive choice for a native woodland garden. Mass for optimum effect.
Contemporary Landscape by Van Swearingen
Van Swearingen
Planting notes. Bluestar can pretty much be left to grow once it's established. It’s tolerant of moist, well-drained soil but will also do just fine if you forget to water it every once in a while. Vibrant foliage color is enhanced if it's planted in full sun, but the flowers survive longer in partial shade in extremely hot climates. Stems will flop over if planted in too much shade.

A long-lived plant, Bluestar looks best after a few growing seasons. If you looking for more of an instant massed effect, consider buying more mature specimens.

After it flowers, cut the plant back several inches to keep stems upright and to maintain an attractive overall shape. There are no serious pest or insect problems associated with Bluestar, but it can be susceptible to rust. Discard infested foliage immediately, before it can contaminate other plants.

More: Great design flowers and plants, grasses and trees.
Comment1
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chitu
we have a west facing balcony.can bluestar be potted in a pot on a balcony?
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