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Amsonia hubrichtii
Hubricht's Bluestar, Arkansas Amsonia, Threadleaf Bluestar, Arkansas Bluestar

Photo by Photo: David J. Stang

Native to the Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma and Arkansas, Bluestar is an upright, broad-spreading herbaceous perennial ~3′ tall and wide, with clusters of terminal sky-blue flowers in spring. The leaves are very fine when compared to other members of the genus, creating a cloudlike texture. When grown in the sun, the soft foliage reliably turns beautiful yellows and golds in autumn, an unrivaled fall display lasting up to a month. Bluestar is tolerant of some shade, however, where the blue flowers tend to hold deeper color. Bluestar adapts well to a wide range of soil types. Some flopping over can occur in more shady locations. If allowed, plants will produce seed in attractive tubular seed pods that last into early winter. This is easily prevented by deadheading the flowers after blooming, not affecting the spectacular show of color in the fall.

Last Updated: July 7, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Amsonia hubrichtii Woodson
Common Names: Hubricht's Bluestar, Arkansas Amsonia, Threadleaf Bluestar, Arkansas Bluestar
Family Name: Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Uses: Perennial Border, Meadow
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium, Moist well drained
Bloom Times: Apr, May
Flower Color: Blue
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Good fall color, Long lived, Reported to be deer resistant.

Additional Info

Habit: Upright, broadly spreading, clump-forming perennial with unbranched shoots, appearing more like a softly bushy shrub during the growing season.
Height: 2-3'
Spread: 1-3'
Growth Rate: Moderate to slow
Soil Conditions: Tolerates a range of soils from sandy to clay; prefers moisture-retaining organic soil, pH slightly acidic.
Leaves: Thin, lance-shaped leaves whorled around the stem; the finely textured foliage creates a bushy appearance, a rich medium green. Fall color is reliably bright yellow, persisting for about a month, turning a rich honey brown before dropping
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Terminal clusters of powdery blue flowers shaped like stars; occur in mid to late spring, lasting 2-3 weeks.
Fruit: seeds in a long papery tube which mature in fall
Natural Distribution: A midwestern species, found in mountain counties of Arkansa and Oklahoma
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: unavailable
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds
Wildlife Connections: The flowers attract hummingbirds and long-tongued insects such as Carpenter Bees, Hummingbird moths and butterflies such as the Coral Hairstreak butterfly. Due to the somewhat toxic nature of this plant’s latex, insect pests and mammals tend to stay away.
Pharmacology: milky sap is unpalatable to mammals
Downside: No serious insect or disease problems. Plants may flop, particularly if not cut back after flowering.
Propagation: By seed or division.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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Cure Nursery operates by appointment only. Call us or email us to place an order for pick up or to arrange a time to come visit the nursery.

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