Native to the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma and Arkansas, Bluestar is an upright, broad-spreading herbaceous perennial ~3′ tall and wide, with clusters of terminal sky-blue flowers in spring. The leaves are very fine when compared to other members of the genus, creating a cloudlike texture. When grown in the sun, the soft foliage reliably turns beautiful yellows and golds in autumn, an unrivaled fall display lasting up to a month. Bluestar is tolerant of some shade, however, where the blue flowers tend to hold deeper color. Bluestar adapts well to a wide range of soil types. Some flopping over can occur in more shady locations. If allowed, plants will produce seed in attractive tubular seed pods that last into early winter. This is easily prevented by deadheading the flowers after blooming, not affecting the spectacular show of color in the fall.
NURSERY HOURS
Thursday: 10-6, Friday – Saturday: 10-4, Sunday: 12-4
Amsonia hubrichtii
Key Info
Scientific Name: Amsonia hubrichtii Woodson
Common Names: Hubricht's Bluestar, Arkansas Amsonia, Threadleaf Bluestar, Arkansas Bluestar
Family Names: Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Flower Color: Blue
Special Characteristics: Long lived, Attracts bees, Reported to be deer resistant., Attracts butterflies, Good fall color
Additional Info
Habit: Upright, broadly spreading, clump-forming perennial with unbranched shoots, appearing more like a softly bushy shrub during the growing season.
Height: 2-3'
Spread: 1-3'
Soil Conditions: Tolerates a range of soils from sandy to clay; prefers moisture-retaining organic soil, pH slightly acidic.
Leaves: Thin, lance-shaped leaves whorled around the stem; the finely textured foliage creates a bushy appearance, a rich medium green. Fall color is reliably bright yellow, persisting for about a month, turning a rich honey brown before dropping
Flowers (or reproductive structures: Terminal clusters of powdery blue flowers shaped like stars; occur in mid to late spring, lasting 2-3 weeks.
Fruit: seeds in a long papery tube which mature in fall
Natural Distribution: A midwestern species, found in mountain counties of Arkansa and Oklahoma
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: unavailable
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds
Wildlife Connections: The flowers attract hummingbirds and long-tongued insects such as Carpenter Bees, Hummingbird moths and butterflies such as the Coral Hairstreak butterfly. Due to the somewhat toxic nature of this plant’s latex, insect pests and mammals tend to stay away.
Propagation: By seed or division.
Southeastern Native Plant Nursery and Landscaping
Our Hours
Thursday: 10-6
Friday and Saturday: 10-4
Sunday: 12-4
Sunday: 12-4
And by appointment
Rachel’s Native Plants is located at The Plant
© COPYRIGHT 2023 RACHEL’S NATIVE PLANTS