‘Blue Ice’ Bluestar
The American Horticultural Society named Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ as one of its “75 Great Plants for American Gardens’, and it is easy to see why! Easy to grow, attractive foliage, lovely periwinkle-blue flowers, and great fall color: Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ deserves a space in any sunny perennial garden.
‘Blue Ice’ is native to the southeastern US, but is finding increasing popularity here on the West Coast. It gets about 15” tall by 24” wide and has a nice, soft clumping shape, which helps it blend in nicely with other plants in a mixed border. Late spring/early summer flowers put on a great show – and in the fall, the foliage turns a warm golden color.
Plants grow best in full sun – they get a little soft and floppy in partial shade – and deadheading will help prolong flowering. ‘Blue Ice’ is tolerant of most soils; even clay soil, as long as the soil isn’t waterlogged. As an added bonus, the latex sap in plant stems makes it unpalatable to deer, but butterflies and other pollinators find the flowers irresistible!
Shooting Star Nursery also carries another great Amsonia: Amsonia ‘Storm Cloud’
What a perfect name for this striking cultivar! ‘Storm Cloud’ has dark green leaves with silvery veins that are borne on near-black stems – which contrast beautifully with its periwinkle blue flowers. 2-3′ tall by 3-4′ wide, and absolutely stunning.