Amsonia Blue Ice

Description

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ – blue star

Botanical name: Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’
Common names: Blue star
Family: Apocynaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Compact, clump-forming, bushy
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 40–50cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Narrow, willow-like green leaves turning clear gold and yellow in autumn; deciduous
Flowers: Clusters of small, soft periwinkle-blue star-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer (May–June)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 4–9
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native to North America
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic; the stems exude a milky sap that may occasionally irritate skin

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ is a lovely, easy perennial with clusters of soft periwinkle-blue star flowers in early summer, willow-like foliage and glowing gold autumn colour. Compact and reliable for borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A charming and easy-going perennial, ‘Blue Ice’ forms neat, compact clumps topped in late spring and early summer with clusters of soft periwinkle-blue, star-shaped flowers. Its willow-like foliage is a bonus, turning lovely clear shades of gold and yellow in autumn, giving two seasons of interest. Tough, hardy and undemanding, it is a reliable and increasingly popular border perennial.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade — it is easy and adaptable, flowering and colouring best in good light. Space about 45cm apart. Water well while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. After flowering, the plant can be lightly trimmed to keep it neat and bushy if wished. Leave the foliage to colour in autumn, then cut back in late autumn or spring. It is long-lived and resents disturbance, so is best left undivided once settled. Water in dry spells.

Propagation

• Division: Can be divided in spring, though it resents disturbance and is best left alone once established.
• Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in early summer.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free, tough and healthy, with few pests or diseases. A reliable, long-lived perennial.

Uses in the garden

Superb in mixed, cottage and naturalistic borders, where its early blue flowers and glowing autumn foliage give two seasons of interest; lovely with spring perennials and in prairie-style plantings.

Wildlife value

The early flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Toxicity & safety

Blue star is generally regarded as non-toxic; the cut stems exude a milky sap that may occasionally irritate skin, so wash your hands after handling.

GardenAdvice tip

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ is a lovely, easy, two-season perennial — soft periwinkle-blue stars in early summer, then a glorious glow of gold foliage in autumn. It’s long-lived and dislikes being moved, so plant it where you want it to stay and leave it be; a light trim after flowering keeps it neat and bushy.

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