How to Grow and Care for Bluestars

A native perennial, the eastern bluestar, or Amsonia tabernaemontana, is a beautiful garden addition that attracts butterflies and hummingbird moths. It grows easily in small clumps of green foliage topped with light blue flowers. Eastern bluestar is relatively free of disease or pest problems.

Threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) is named after the brilliant biologist Leslie Hubricht, who was the first person to encounter it in the wilderness back in the '40s. It's an immensely popular garden plant used in borders, rock gardens, and cottage gardens. Threadleaf bluestar perfectly complements perennials that bloom in the fall, such as garden mums and sedums.

Fringed Bluestar (Amsonia ciliata) is a perennial plant that blooms in spring with showy clusters of pale blue star-shaped flowers. Attracts butterflies. Foliage changes from green to yellow in fall. Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Perfect for rock gardens and cottage gardens when planted in masses.

Woolly bluestar (Amsonia tomentosa) has an appropriate common name, since its pale blue flowers are star shaped, and its leaves are covered in fine, woolly hairs. The Latin name reflects this too since tomentosa means hairy. Woolly bluestar can appear in two forms: green and smooth, or gray and woolly.

Blue Star blooms longer and larger than other plants in its genus. It is commonly called "European bluestar" due to the color of its spring flowers, a beautiful shade which makes it a popular plant in cottage gardens.