Amsonia (Bluestar)
Amsonia hubrichtii
Family Apocynaceae
Amsonia is two perennials for one hole: in spring, clouds of powder-blue stars over fine, feathery foliage; in fall, the entire plant ignites to a pure glowing gold that lasts for weeks — one of the best autumn performances any perennial gives, from a flower nobody expects it of.
Between the shows it is an airy, well-mannered native mound that deer ignore and drought barely dents, settling in slowly on deep roots and then persisting for decades. Set it where autumn light will catch it, and it repays the spot every year you own the house.
Full Sun to Light Shade
Low water
Slow to establish growth
Deer-resistant
Native to North America
Attracts bees
From the print shop
Growing amsonia (bluestar)? Hang it.
Our Plant Library collection carries amsonia (bluestar) — Amsonia hubrichtii, print Nº 19, “Amsonia (Bluestar).”
526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what amsonia (bluestar) actually needs.
Hardy inZones 4-9Amsonia (Bluestar) · Common problems
Common amsonia (bluestar) problems
Pests
1 problem on file
- Almost none — deer-resistant
Diseases
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Amsonia (Bluestar) · Growing & propagation
Growing amsonia (bluestar)
- Light
- Full Sun to Light Shade
- Water
- Low once established
Drought-tough
Soil- Any well-drained · pH 6.0 - 7.5
Fertilizer- None
Pruning- After bloom (optional shear)
Shear by a third after bloom to prevent flopping; otherwise a no-care, long-lived plant. Fall color is the main event.
Spacing- 2-3 ft
How to plant & propagate amsonia (bluestar)
- Propagate
- Division or seed
Amsonia (Bluestar) · Calculators & field guides
A little help in the garden.
Amsonia (Bluestar) · Yearly calendar
The amsonia (bluestar) year, month by month
Jan
No calendar activity is listed for this month.
BloomBloomMay
What each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
Amsonia (Bluestar) · Ecology & uses
Ecology & uses
Amsonia hubrichtii
Amsonia (Bluestar) in the garden system
- Herbaceous layer perennial
- Nectary/insectary
Attracts- Bees
Moisture- Upland / dry
- Deer
- Resistant
A safer unfenced choice
- Origin
- Native to North America
What amsonia (bluestar) is grown for
! Some parts toxic — see notesMilky sap mildly toxic if eaten
Use- Fall gold
- Use
- Native borders
- Use
- Deer-resistant
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
Amsonia (Bluestar) · Varieties & cultivars
Choosing a amsonia (bluestar) variety
'Hubrichtii' (threadleaf, best fall color — Perennial Plant of the Year); A. tabernaemontana (broadleaf, blue)
Sources & plant identity
Know what you’re growing.
See where the knowledge comes from.
Amsonia (Bluestar)
Amsonia hubrichtii
The plant, at a glance.
- Botanical name
- Amsonia hubrichtii
- Plant family
- Apocynaceae
- Growth habit
- Perennial
- Origin
- Native to North America
- USDA plant symbol
- AMHU
- Invasive risk
- Low
Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.
Rooted in research.
University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.
Questions
Amsonia (Bluestar) questions, answered straight.
Do deer eat amsonia (bluestar)?
Rarely — amsonia (bluestar) is considered deer-resistant, which makes it one of the safer unfenced choices in deer country. Hungry deer in a hard winter test every rule, but it's a low-risk pick.
Is amsonia (bluestar) safe for kids and pets?
With care. Milky sap mildly toxic if eaten Site it accordingly if children or pets roam the garden. This is general reference, not medical or veterinary advice — call a vet or poison control if something has actually been eaten.
How do you propagate amsonia (bluestar)?
Division or seed.
Elsewhere
Where amsonia (bluestar) sits in the library.
Sunflower
Zinnia
Peony
Daylily