Native Plant Amsonia Hubrichtii is Perennial Arkansas Blue Star

The Perennial Plant Association has announced their 2011 winner, the Amsonia hubrichtii is also called Arkansas blue star. This species plant is hardy as far north as zones 6, a native perennial found in the rocky terrain of Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The fine feathery yellowish-orange foliage in autumn, its deer resistant characteristics and low maintenance plant care needs make Arkansas blue star a worthwhile consideration for a home garden landscape. Gardeners will find it especially appropriate for wildflower gardens, planting beds focusing on natives or attracting pollinators.

Arkansas Blue Star in Home Garden Landscapes

The very narrow thread-like leaves of Arkansas blue star will create a graceful texture in a home garden landscape. The native perennial grows up to 3′ tall and 3′ wide, creating a high-impact display of spring blooming pale blue, almost white, flowers in a planting bed. The very narrow leaves run along the entire length of the stem. The blooms are flower clusters comprised of many star-shaped sterile flowers. Amsonia hubrichtii has an upright plant form.

Arkansas blue star grows best in full sun with soil that is moist and well-draining, although this perennial will tolerate drought conditions. Too much shade or excessive fertilizer will cause the plant to open in the center and flop over.

The plant requires only minimal care to thrive and remain healthy. Amsonia hubrichtii should be cut back after flowering and, although the plant does not require digging up, it can be divided to make more plants for a home garden. If this species is grown in zones 4 or 5, the plants should be mulched in well to survive northern winters.

Perennial Plant Winners Grown with Amsonia

Members of the Perennial Plant Association vote on a Perennial Plant of the Year winner each year, announcing the choice in fall. Perennial plant winners are chosen for the ability to grow in a wide range of climates, require only low maintenance plant care, easily grow true from seed or by vegetative propagation and provide added value with many seasons of interest in the garden.

Gardeners are able to use the Perennial Plant winner list as inspiration to create a successful outdoor garden. Amsonia hubrichtii will grow well with past perennial winners, Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and Baptisia australis, for instance.

Amsonia is a tall perennial that will work best at the back of a planting bed. The soft-to-the-touch Arkansas blue star will tolerate a drought or hot environment while still fitting along a garden walkway. Planting Arkansas blue star with Stachys byzantine can be successful for each thrives in a similar environment. The contrasting textures will make a good landscape for visitors up-close. Of course, the traditional purple asters will really pop against a backdrop of Arkansas blue star golden foliage in fall.

Northern Hardy Amsonia Tabernaemontana

In Bloom’s Best Perennials and Grasses, Adrain Bloom includes Amsonia tabernaemontana in his ‚”Directory of Recommended Perennials and Grasses.” Found in open grassland and lining streams and riverbanks, the more northern hardy Amsonia tabernaemontana is a native plant from New Jersey to Florida west to Illinois and Texas.

The stems of Amsonia tabernaemontana are purplish black on which grow willow-like leaves, less feathery than A. hubrichtii, but also forming a clumping habit. The spring flowering clusters begin with dark blue buds and open to pale blue blooms in late spring and early summer. Amsonia tabernaemontana is hardy for northern gardeners as far as zone 3.

Perennial Plant Attracts Butterflies Deters Deer

The 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year winner is Amsonia hubrichtii. It is a native perennial plant that attracts butterflies and bees but deters deer from foraging in a garden landscape. The Amsonia genus has approximately 20 species that are native plants in North America.

For gardeners with part shade planting beds, consider the 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year winner, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola.’ It is an ornamental grass that will light up a shady home garden landscape with its golden coloring.