Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Eastern bluestar)

Botanical name

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia

Other names

Eastern bluestar, Blue milkweed, Willow amsonia, Blue dogbane

Genus

Amsonia Amsonia

Species

A. tabernaemontana var. salicifolia - A. tabernaemontana var. salicifolia is clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with elliptic to lance-shaped, matt, dark green leaves and rounded, open panicles of pale blue flowers from late spring to midsummer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming

Toxicity

Contact with the milky sap may cause skin irritation.

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Colour

Flower

Pale-blue in Spring; Pale-blue in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Cut back in late autumn.

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Eastern bluestar) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.45m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Prairie planting, Woodland

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil preferably in full sun. Will tolerate some drought and light shade. May need staking if grown in partial shade.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Eastern bluestar)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Spilostethus pandurus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Seed bug unlikely to pose a significant threat to UK plant health.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Eastern bluestar)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Spilostethus hospes

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Seed bug unlikely to pose a significant threat to UK plant health.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/