- Botanical name: Amsonia illustris
- Common name: Blue star
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Blue
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Known commonly as blue star, amsonias bear starry flowers from late June. Slow-growing perennials, they lack drama but make the perfect foil for a number of more dramatic and colourful plants. The different species are hard to tell apart, but Amsonia illustris has shiny green leaves and large flowers. All amsonias have milky sap, which can irritate the skin.
Grow Amsonia illustris in humus-rich, moist soil, in full sun or semi-shade. Divide in early autumn if necessary.
How to grow Amsonia illustris
-
Plant size
100cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do Prune in September |
O
Do Prune in October |
N
Do Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Amsonia illustris and wildlife
Amsonia illustris has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Amsonia illustris poisonous?
Amsonia illustris can be toxic. Its sap is toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
Plants that go well with Amsonia illustris
