Arkansas Amsonia
Fabulous Fall Foliage!
Plant this herbaceous perennial in average, well-drained soil and, come mid spring, you'll be blessed with striking, finely textured foliage and an abundance of pale blue, star-shaped blooms. Commonly called Bluestar, its flowers are small—only ½" wide—but there are a lot of them! They cover the 3' tall plant in well-formed clusters. This is an easy-grow variety that is tolerant of a host of soil types, and does equally well in full sun and partly shaded sites, though flowers last longer if they are given some afternoon shade in hotter areas of the country. Brightens up borders, rockeries, cottage gardens or woodland areas. In fall, the foliage turns a warm golden color, giving the landscape a lovely autumnal look. Zones 4-9.