amsonia varieties

Varieties of Amsonia

Shining bluestar (Amsonia illustris) – Native to the southeastern U.S., this plant is very similar in appearance to the blue star species. ...
Threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) – Native only to the mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma, this plant has a very distinctive and fascinating appearance.

Is Amsonia invasive?

Amsonia, a temperate member of the predominantly tropical dogbane family (Apocynaceae), is related to common periwinkle (Vinca minor) and frangipani (Plumeria rubra). ... Bluestars are herbaceous perennials with woody crowns that slowly increase in size but are not invasive.

Can Amsonia be divided?

To divide an amsonia root ball, simply cut sections of the root ball containing the plant's crown and stems with a clean, sharp knife or saw. Dividing plants like this may seem brutal but the cuts to the root ball actually stimulate plant growth both above and below the soil level.

What does Amsonia look like?

The plant species Amsonia was given the common name "Blue Star" for its soft blue, star-shaped flowers. The individual flowers are small, but they bloom in fluffy clusters and put on a lovely show for several weeks. Blue Star flowers are one of the truest blues you will find in flower colors.

Is Amsonia deer resistant?

Amsonia may be planted in the spring or fall. Is amsonia deer resistant? Amsonia is tolerant to deer, they usually avoid amsonia, however if food is scarce deer may eat amsonia.

How do I prune Amsonia?

Plants must be cut back in either the late fall or late winter to about 8 inches from the ground. Remember to wear gloves when working with Amsonia since stems release a white sap. Though not required, cutting them back again half way to the ground after flowering will result in even fuller growth.

How do you grow Amsonia Hubrichtii?

Amsonia hubrichtii can be propagated by seed or division. Due to irregular germination, which occurs over several weeks, division is the most reliable method of propagating this plant. For growers interested in starting amsonia from seed, sow two to three seeds per cell (128- or 72-cell plug trays work well).

Can I split Euphorbia?

Euphorbia polychroma propagation is best done by division in the spring. Use a garden fork to gently lift the plant from the soil and then divide the clumps by hand into smaller sections.

What does Amsonia mean?

1 capitalized : a genus of herbs (family Apocynaceae) having a milky juice, alternate entire leaves, and showy bluish flowers in terminal cymes, one species (A. tabernaemontana) being common in the southeastern U.S. 2 plural -s : an herb of the genus Amsonia.

Is Amsonia poisonous?

Amsonia is a member of the Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae). Family members like the infamous oleander typically have milky or viscous sap that can be loaded with highly toxic alkaloids. The Bluestars' latex sap is mildly irritating and not considered to be harmful to humans.

What are the tiny blue flowers called?

Forget-Me-Nots Myosotis scorpioides. These tiny, sky-blue flowers grow above bright green foliage in the summer. Forget-Me-Nots have either white, pink or yellow centers.

What does a blue flower symbolize?

A blue flower (German: Blaue Blume) was a central symbol of inspiration for the Romanticism movement, and remains an enduring motif in Western art today. It stands for desire, love, and the metaphysical striving for the infinite and unreachable. It symbolizes hope and the beauty of things.

Is Blue Star deer resistant?

This plant is resistant to damage by deer and other herbivores due to the foliage containing a toxic white latex. When propagating by seed, the seedlings will germinate quickly, but the plant will not flower until the second year.

When can I transplant Amsonia?

After stratifying the seeds for at least three weeks, you can slowly acclimate them to warmer temperatures. Amsonia seeds can take up to 10 weeks to sprout and young seedlings may not be ready for transplant for 20 weeks.

Are Black Eyed Susans deer resistant?

Named for their dark brown centers peeking out of the gold or bronze petals, black-eyed susans thrive in the sun. Because its covered in course hair, deer and rabbits stay far away from it. These daisy-like blooms are perfect for a late summer or fall bouquet.

Do deer like purple coneflowers?

Are Coneflowers Deer-Resistant? The University of Vermont Cooperative Extension and Colorado State University Cooperative Extension list coneflowers as deer-resistant plants. The spiny center and the aroma of the plant generally render it unpalatable to a picky deer.

What perennials should not be cut back in the fall?

Don't cut back marginally hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum).

How do you prune Montauk daisies?

For a strong fall bloom, prune plants to about 6 inches tall in early spring, with a second strong pruning in July. Some gardeners mow established plant colonies twice prior to July 4. Other gardeners combine regular pinching until July 4 with division every three years.

Do hydrangeas need to be cut back?

To rejuvenate the hydrangea, remove up to 1/3 of the older living stems down to the ground each summer. This will revitalize the plant. If necessary to control the size of the plant, cut back before late July to allow for buds to develop. Usually the plant will return immediately to its former size.

Which Euphorbia plant causes cancer?

The sticky sap of the African milkbush may be an important cause of Burkitt's lymphoma - the most common childhood cancer in much of Africa. The milkbush (Euphorbia tirucalli) is a tropical plant that grows in many parts of Africa and in the Amazon rainforest of South America.

What is the largest Euphorbia?

Larger euphorbias, such as the evergreen E. characias subsp. wulfenii grows to an impressive 1m or more, filling borders with their booming shapes, soft grey-blue leaves and fabulous limy-yellow flowerheads. One of the best varieties to grow is 'Lambrooke Gold' which has particularly large and bright flowerheads.

How poisonous is Euphorbia?

The milky sap or latex of Euphorbia plant is highly toxic and an irritant to the skin and eye. ... Three patients presented with accidental ocular exposure to the milky sap of Euphorbia species of recent onset. The initial symptoms in all cases were severe burning sensation with blurring of vision.