Amsonia (Willow Blue Star) is in the Dogbane family, and the scientific name is Apocynaceae tabernaemontana Walt. It has a milky sap that can be irritating to the skin, so use care when handling. We don't know how old your plant is, but it takes a minimum of three years from seed to bloom. You can expect bloom in June and July when the plant is mature. Amsonia can be grown in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. To keep the soil moist, be sure to mulch after planting. It is an easy-care, long-lived perennial and a North American native of moist woods. At maturity it will be 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall and shrublike. One reference suggests pruning it back to 6 to 8 inches after blooming if it becomes floppy, as it apparently can in shade. Otherwise, it would be best to let it grow naturally. Propagate by sowing ripe seed or by division of the roots in early spring.
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Tell me about Blue Star (Amsonia). When will it flower? In the fall do I cut it back as I would other perennials?
Last Updated: November 14, 2011
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