SafePlants

Amsonia tabernaemontana: Eastern Bluestar

Amsonia tabernaemontana, commonly known as Eastern Bluestar, is a hardy perennial prized for its delicate pale blue, star-shaped flowers that bloom from spring to midsummer. It's a lovely addition to gardens, known for being easier to cultivate than pronounce!

Common Names

• Eastern Bluestar
• Woodland Blue Star
• Willow Amsonia
• Blue Dogbane
• Rhazya

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Amsonia tabernaemontana Walter
• Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)
• Genus: Amsonia
• Species: Amsonia tabernaemontana
• Synonyms: Rhazya
• Varieties:
  • Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana
  • Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia

Distribution and Habitat

Eastern Bluestar is native to the southern and southeastern United States and northern Mexico. Its natural range extends from Texas to Illinois to Virginia but does not reach New England. It's often found in moist slope forests and floodplain forests.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Eastern Bluestar is an erect-stemmed perennial, typically growing to a height of 1 to 4 feet.
• It forms large, multi-stemmed clumps that can reach up to 4 feet in diameter.
• The stems are leafy, light green, and smooth.
• Leaves are elongated, lance-shaped, elliptic to lance-shaped, matt, dark and light-green.
• Foliage turns golden-yellow in the fall.
• The plant features an upright texture and an open, loose form.

Flowers

• Starry clusters of elegant pale blue flowers appear in spring and midsummer.
• Blue to light blue, star-shaped flowers are borne in spring on sturdy stems.

Quirky Facts

• Eastern Bluestar foliage turns yellow in the fall.

Further Information

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
• Discover Life
• Encyclopedia of Life
• USDA-Plants Database
• Toadshade Wildflower Farm (mail order nursery in Frenchtown, NJ)
• iNaturalist