Blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Montana')
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Montana' is a compact Blue star perennial offering deep blue spring blooms and excellent fall color with low maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’, commonly known as Blue star, is a sought-after herbaceous perennial cherished for its reliability and elegant spring color. This compact cultivar provides vibrant, soft light blue, star-like flowers, offering a significant visual display in late spring. Gardeners value this plant for its durable nature, attractive foliage that often turns yellow in autumn, and low overall maintenance requirements.
This specific selection, Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’, distinguishes itself from the species by presenting a deeper blue flower hue, slightly wider leaves, and a notably more compact growth habit. It excels in various garden settings, providing wonderful texture and reliable performance even in challenging conditions like clay soil. Expect this dependable Blue star to anchor borders and rain gardens effectively.
One unique feature is that the stems and leaves exude a milky latex when damaged, serving as a natural defense against many common herbivores, making it an excellent choice where deer resistance is critical. Whether utilized in mass plantings or as an accent piece, Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ matures into a tidy, flowering mound perfect for consistent, year-round interest.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Apocynaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Blue star in the spring or fall once the danger of hard frost has passed, allowing it ample time to establish roots. Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ thrives best when situated in average, medium, well-drained soil, accommodating a wide pH range. While it prefers moist, loamy conditions, it shows good tolerance for drought once established, making it versatile. Ensure it receives at least full sun for the most upright habit; too much shade combined with rich soil can encourage floppiness.
Watering needs are moderate; maintain consistent moisture throughout the first growing season. For mature plants, supplemental watering is usually only necessary during extended dry spells, thanks to its drought tolerance. Fertilizer is rarely required, especially if you aim for a neat, compact presentation.
This compact cultivar, Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’, generally resists the need for heavy pruning common to larger Amsonia types. If you desire an exceptionally bushy form, you can cut the stems back by one-third shortly after the spring bloom concludes. This encourages denser foliage growth and maintains a desirable rounded shape throughout the rest of the season.
Landscape Uses
The fine texture and clear blue flowers of Blue star make it an outstanding component for diverse landscape designs. It is particularly effective when planted in masses, creating rivers of color along borders or softening the edge of a pathway. Its resilience in average soil and tolerance for wet areas make it a perfect fit for rain gardens, aligning with its suggested landscape use.
Consider pairing Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ with later-blooming perennials to ensure continuous visual interest in the summer garden after the Blue star has finished flowering. It works well alongside plants that appreciate similar sun exposure and moisture levels, especially those with contrasting foliage colors or habits. The elegant blooms are also excellent when harvested for fresh-cut floral arrangements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Amsonia tabernaemontana, commonly called eastern bluestar, is native to portions of the eastern and southern United States where it is found in moist woodlands, stream banks, slopes, ditches, and open fields. This erect, clump-forming plant features terminal, pyramidal clusters of soft light blue, star-like flowers in late spring atop leafy stems. The willow-shaped foliage frequently provides attractive yellow color in the fall, complementing the deep blue flowers of this specific cultivar, Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
This plant is generally robust, suffering from no serious insect or disease issues, contributing to its low maintenance profile. The primary cultural challenge involves managing its habit; plants growing in overly rich soils or in significant shade may become open and prone to flopping, potentially requiring staking for a tidy look. Rust is an occasional, minor fungal issue to watch for, though deer tend to avoid this plant entirely due to the milky latex secretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Blue star suitable for?
Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ is suitable for planting across USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ grow?
This compact Blue star typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall with a spread ranging from 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
When does Blue star bloom?
You can expect the star-like flowers of Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ to appear from early spring, specifically April to May, and the blooms are a beautiful blue color.
What sun exposure does Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ need?
This perennial performs well across a spectrum of lighting conditions, thriving anywhere from full sun to partial shade.
Conclusion
The Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ is an invaluable addition to the garden, offering superior performance, deer resistance, and a striking blue flower display preceding attractive fall foliage. This low-maintenance Blue star deserves a place in native plantings and structured borders alike. Before planting, confirm that your local conditions fall within USDA Zones 4-9 to ensure years of dependable enjoyment from this compact perennial.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’, focus on plants that thrive in medium moisture and appreciate similar sun exposure, especially those blooming later in the season. Hostas or ferns are excellent choices for slightly shadier conditions, offering contrasting leaf textures underneath the canopy of the Blue star. For sunny, well-drained areas, consider pairing it with plants like Salvia or Rudbeckia, which will take over as the Amsonia finishes its spring show. Grouping these plants together helps create a multi-layered, season-long visual display.
Wildlife Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Montana’ offers significant ecological benefits, particularly for early-season pollinators. The pyramidal clusters of soft blue flowers bloom reliably in April and May, serving as an important nectar source when many other garden plants are just beginning to awaken. Because the blooms attract butterflies and other insect pollinators readily, placing this Blue star near seating areas enhances interaction with local wildlife. Its toughness means it provides this benefit without demanding intensive care.
