Plant Guide
Blue Ice Star Flower
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Blue Ice'
Height: 15 inches
Spread: 24 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4b
Description:
This variety is more compact than the species with deeper blue flowers; lovely along borders or edges; an impressive statement in blue when massed
Ornamental Features
Blue Ice Star Flower has blue star-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer, which are interesting on close inspection. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves are light green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous yellow in the fall.
Landscape Attributes
Blue Ice Star Flower is an herbaceous perennial with a more or less rounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Blue Ice Star Flower is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- General Garden Use
- Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
Planting & Growing
Blue Ice Star Flower will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
