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Amsonia tabernaemontana

 
Amsonia tabernaemontana
blue stars
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Long upright seedpods form in late summer

Common name blue stars
Family apocynaceae
Life cycle perennial
Flowers blue, late spring
Size 2-3'
Light full sun-part shade
Cultural notes not fussy
From seed Sow outside in late fall, or give 8 wks cold and germinate at warm room temperature. Rarely self-sows in our garden.
detailed seed-starting info below
Seed ripenslate September

Upright plant with narrow glossy leaves, stays attractive throughout the gardening season. Clusters of blue flowers from May into June. The earliest blue star to return and to bloom in spring, it's a robust, easy-care perennial for the middle of the border.

blue stars
Some amsonias are known for their flashy fall foliage. This one's yellow leaves are OK, but not stunning

We left this plant behind in our Pennsylvania garden (and wish it well); we don't grow it in Houston.

See comparative information about amsonias in our garden

One or more images of this plant are included in my stock photo catalog

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PlantLinks to other web pages about Amsonia tabernaemontana


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Seed-starting details for this plant

  1. Seed garden '02. No germination: 12wks at 65F, then to pot outside in early spring
  2. Seed garden '03. A: Baggy 35F (12w)-65F( 55%G, 7-16d).
    B: Pot outside late November. 40%G, early May.
  3. 4/23: noticed volunteer seedlings for the first time
  4. Seed from '06 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (6w; 5%G, 26d) - 75F (55%G, 2-14d)
  5. Seed from '07 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 70F (6d) - 75F (67%G, 6-12d)
  6. Seed from '08 garden. Baggy 35F (8w) - 75F (69%G, 6-10d)
  7. Same seed as above. Baggy 35F (8w) - 75F (61%G, 6-11d)

Odd-shaped cylindrical seed. Rest assured - each piece is really a seed! Needs slightly warmer than room temperature to germinate after the cold treatment.


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