Amsonia Hubrichtii: 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year

Another year is upon us and that means the Perennial Plant Association has chosen another outstanding perennial to add to their list: 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year. The winner for 2011 is Amsonia hubrichtii, also known as Arkansas Blue Star or Thread Leaf Blue Star.

I must admit, I have this perennial in stock every spring in our perennial department and it never really gets the attention it deserves. It’s one of those plants that doesn’t look very enticing in a container so it gets a little ignored when competing with all of the other popular spring bloomers on the shelf. Once planted in the garden and matured to full growth, it finally gets appreciated for all of it’s unique qualities.

 

What are these qualities? Blue Star is a perennial that features three seasons of ornamental interest – spring, summer and fall. In spring it’s topped with light blue star-shaped flowers. When it’s finished blooming, it’s light green feathery foliage adds texture to the garden all summer. Finally, in the fall this plant shines in the garden when it’s foliage turns to a beautiful golden yellow; this beautiful autumn display of color is the major reason most gardeners grow it.

Amsonia hubrichtii is an easy, no fuss perennial that grows best in full sun with a little late afternoon shade. Like most perennials, it prefers well drained soil. The foliage tends to be fuller in the summer if you cut it back about six inches after it’s finished blooming. Once well established, it is drought tolerant and can withstand a season of neglect. It’s also deer resistant and doesn’t have a lot of insect or disease problems.

Blue Star mingles well in the garden with coneflowers, black-eyed susans, gayfeather and ornamental grasses. Also, it’s golden fall color will shine next to any plant with dark foliage. It can be used in borders, native gardens, cottage gardens or open woodland areas and is especially showy in mass plantings.

So next time you are at the Garden Center, stop by and take a look at this plant and consider all of it’s many qualities. Maybe this is the year we’ll see Amsonia hubrectii get picked up off the shelf and enjoyed in many more gardens for years to come.

I hope you enjoy many new gardening experiences in 2011!
Mary Ann G.
Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center