blue star ‘Blue Ice’

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ is a great compact perennial that packs a lot of punch. In late spring, clusters of dark blue, almost lavender star-like flowers appear at the top of the stems.

The thin, rough visual texture of the foliage of blue star ‘Blue Ice’ is a great contrast to some of the large dotted seed heads like Allium, Echinacea and Eryngium that grow with it in our garden. It is a clump forming perennial with narrow, dark green foliage that comes off the 1.5 foot erect central stems. In the fall, the foliage turn brilliant yellow, then an attractive tan that remains standing into winter.

Botanical Name Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’
Common Name blue star ‘Blue Ice’
Family Apocynaceae
USDA Zone 4 thru 9
Light Requirement Full Sun to Part Shade
Season(s) of interest spring, summer, fall, winter
Height and Spread 1-1.5ft x 1-1.5ft (30-45cm x 30-45cm)
Flower Color Blue
Attracts Wildlife Rarely Browsed by Mammalian Herbivores
Additional Information Cultivated Form of a Native Plant. Horticultural origin: Thought to be a cross between two species native to the US Midwest. May be a hybrid with A. montana. Beautiful icy-blue flowers in early spring.
Location in Lurie Garden Northwest Light Plate, Northeast Light Plate, Southwest Light Plate, Southeast Light Plate

 

Average Flowering Time