Amsonia tabernaemontana

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zone 3-9, 24-36" x 30", sun to part shade (flowers best in full sun), in mid summer pale blue flowers bloom over medium width, willow-shaped leaves that turn yellow in the fall, likes a moist and well-drained soil, but is drought tolerant once established and can withstand occasional flooding

Common names: Eastern Bluestar, Blue Dogbane, Willow Amsonia, Woodland Bluestar

Family: Apocynaceae

Origin/Distribution: eastern and central United States, but not native to Maine

Habitat: found along sunny stream edges, sandy moist grassland and meadow, open woods, flood plain forests (but not perpetually wet)

More: Hummingbirds, Carpenter bees, and various butterfly and moth species are attracted to Bluestar flowers. A. tabernaemontana is a larval host for the Coral Hairstreak, Satyrium titus, which is a "breeding resident" in Maine and also a species of Special Concern. Bluestar does not like to be transplanted, so site accordingly. After flowering, you can cut back the plant by a third to a half to encourage new leaves and tidy it up if that is your inclination, however, the seed pods are quite interesting (and perhaps you want more plants!). As with many in the Dogbane family, herbivores such as deer and rabbits don't like to eat Bluestar. I think this might be a good cut flower and/or foliage in a bouquet.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credit: 1st image of overall form: Susan Strine; 2nd image of flower heads: David J. Stang - both via Creative Commons through the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox