All media depicts mature plants.

'Blue Ice' Bluestar (Amsonia)

Perennial

  • Long-blooming & compact bluestar great for small hedges.
  • Dark blue flowers attract pollinators in spring!
  • Foliage transitions from green to golden yellow in fall.
  • Native, low-maintenance & deer-resistant.
  • Zones 3-9, sun to part sun, 12-16″ tall x 18-24″ wide at maturity.
  • SamitaZONE
  • SamitaEXPOSURE
  • SamitaHEIGHT
Size: One Quart
Regular price
Sale price Sale: Regular price Each
Total: $15.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee

Description

Keep your landscape looking cool with 'Blue Ice' bluestar (Amsonia orientalis). Compared to other bluestar varieties, 'Blue Ice' has darker flowers, is more compact, and blooms longer, making it a great choice for adding spring color to small hedges and mixed garden beds. After the blooms fade, the glossy, willow-shaped leaves continue to add texture to the landscape until fall, when they transition to a stunning golden yellow! Deer tend to steer clear of this plant due to its milky sap, but pollinators like bees and butterflies won't be able to resist the nectar-rich flowers. No matter your plans for this adaptable perennial, 'Blue Ice' is a reliable addition that will charm gardeners and pollinators alike for many spring seasons.

Details

Botanical name: Amsonia orientalis 'Blue Ice'
Common name: Bluestar
Zone: 3-9
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun).
Height x width: 12-16" tall x 18-24" wide.
Flower color: Blue
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Late spring through early summer.
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Native, heat-tolerant, fall color, drought tolerant, deer resistant, container plants, cold tolerant, low-maintenance, rain garden, pollinator-friendly, low flammability, cut flower
Uses: Edging, flower gardens, wildlife gardens, native plant gardens, landscaping

How to Grow

Soil: Bluestar thrives in most average, well-drained soil.
Light: Flowers best in full sun (> 6 hours sun) but will tolerate part sun (4-6 hours sun) as well.
Water: Average moisture is ideal and will tolerate dry and wet conditions.
Spacing: Minimum 24" apart.
Fertilizing: Not required, but if desired, fertilize with an all-purpose garden fertilizer in spring.
Winterizing: No special winter care requirements.
Maintenance & pruning: This plant has a naturally petite habit, so pruning is not necessary. However, if you desire a more uniform shape, you can prune just after it’s done flowering.

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag

Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.

Plant Spacing Calculator

ft
ft
in
Plants Needed
Enter your dimensions above
Grid preview will appear here showing preview