Summary
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana, also known as wideleaf bluestar, is a geographically widespread species found in similar locations to A. tabernaemontana var. salicifolia. This variety has broader ovate leaves and displays the coarsest foliage texture of the trialed bluestars. Like A. tabernaemontana var. salicifolia, the stems and flower calyxes are hairless and have a waxy coating. Additionally, the fruit is held vertically as opposed to the pendent fruit of A. tabernaemontana var. illustris. This was one of the first bluestars to emerge in the spring, with stems evocative of asparagus shoots. The stems emerge with a dark purple coloration, but the color fades as the growing season progresses. Wideleaf bluestar is one of the first Amsonia varieties to bloom, producing attractive sky-blue flowers arranged in airy inflorescences in mid-to-late April. A newer selection of this variety from Plant Delights and Walters Gardens, Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’, has even darker stems and retains that coloration for a much longer period.
Details
- Rating
4.6 - Common Name
Wideleaf bluestar