Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia)
am-SO-nee-ah tab-er-nay-mon-TAN-ah variety salicifolia

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-forming, Vase in the Apocynaceae Family
A narrower-leaved, willow-like form of our native Eastern Bluestar, with pale blue spring flowers and the same dependable golden fall color -- a more refined presentation of a Chicago-area native.

Willow-leaf Bluestar is a recognized botanical variety of Eastern Bluestar (accepted per Kew's Plants of the World Online), distinguished by notably narrower, more willow-like leaves than the straight species -- up to 6 inches long, with a paler, sometimes waxy lower surface. In late spring, it produces clusters of pale sky-blue, star-shaped flowers that attract butterflies and bees, and its foliage turns a reliable golden-yellow each fall.

In Chicago Botanic Garden's side-by-side evaluation trial, this variety matched the straight species' top rating but showed a more refined presentation -- slightly smaller flower clusters with more consistent, fuller coverage. Note: 'Amsonia salicifolia' is sometimes seen as a standalone name in older trade literature, but it is a synonym now subsumed into this variety, not a separate species.

Pros

  • Refined, narrow willow-like foliage
  • Illinois native; deer- and rabbit-resistant
  • Excellent golden fall color
  • Full, consistent flower coverage per CBG trials

Cons

  • Sap can irritate skin; mildly toxic if ingested
  • Can flop in too much shade or rich soil
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 24 - 36 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Edging, Fall Color, Formal Garden, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Good for Rock Garden, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Most Popular, Mounded, Native to North America, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Thrillers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Hot Dry Site, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period May - June
Flower Color Pale Blue With White Throats
Foliage Color Green
 

More Info from Experts
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 09/20
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!