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.
