Can You Sow Blue Star Seeds in the Ground
Everything You Need to Know About Growing and Caring for Blue Star Flowers at Home
With its brief but beautiful blue star-shaped blooms, Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) is a popular and easy-to-grow perennial. Striking heads of pale blue flowers emerge in late spring and bloom through the warm summer months. What's more, the willow-shaped leaves can be enjoyed into the fall when they turn a golden yellow. Blue Star flowers also make great companions for a host of garden designs and layouts. In this article, we'll take you through every area of growing and caring for Blue Star flowers at home.
How to Grow Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) – the Essentials:
| Botanical Name: | Amsonia tabernaemontana |
| Also Known As: | Eastern Blue Star, Willow Blue Star, Blue Dogbane, Bluestar |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA Zones 3 to 9 |
| Flowering Months: | May to June |
| Growing Difficulty: | Easy to grow, low maintenance, suitable for novices |
| Type of Plant: | Flowering deciduous perennials |
| Light Requirements: | Likes full sun or some partial shade |
| Temp & Humidity: | Needs a minimum of 50 to 60ºF but thrives in hotter temperatures. Requires low to moderate humidity and is slightly drought-tolerant |
| Watering Needs: | Water when the top of the soil feels mostly dry, about once per week |
| Soil Preferences: | Prefers well-draining neutral (6 to 7 pH) soils that can stay moist |
| Feeding: | Give a dose of slow-release fertilizer once every one or two weeks once leaves have emerged |
| Growth Expectations: | Grows up to 2 to 3 feet tall and wide |
| Toxicity: | Produces a milky sap that can irritate the skin. Toxic to cats and dogs |
About Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Genus: Amsonia
- Species: Amsonia tabernaemontana
Origins & History
Blue Star is indigenous to the eastern and central United States, although it has also spread to Midwestern states. The Amsonia family is named after 18th Century English-American botanist Dr. John Amson.
The American Horticultural Society lists Blue Star as a member of their 75 Great Plants for American Gardens list.
General Botanical Characteristics
Blue Star plants are deciduous flowering perennials with a brief blooming season. In late spring, small star-like flowers sporting pastel shades of pale blue begin to unfurl. The blooms grow at the end of tall leafy stalks, creating dense clumps of color. Amsonia tabernaemontana produces the largest flower clumps of the Amsonia family.
The spear-shaped foliage is dark green and grows in a whorled pattern. The leaves begin to turn golden-yellow midway through the fall.
Uses & Benefits of Blue Star
Blue Star plants are great for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Despite their short lifespan, the flowers may even tempt hummingbirds into the garden in some areas.
As part of the Amsonia family, Blue Star flowers are believed to symbolize admirable qualities such as determination, endurance, and strength.
Most Suitable USDA Growing Zones for Blue Star
Blue Star plants are native to areas that fall in USDA growing zones 3 to 9. These regions encompass most of the United States except for the warmest parts of Florida and the West Coast.
Blooming & Flowering
Blue Star plants are flowering perennials, although their blooming season is quite short. The light blue flowers emerge in late spring (May) and last until early summer (June). The flowers will die off, but the rich green foliage continues into the fall.
Blue Star Growth Expectations
At their full height, the tall stalks of Blue Star plants can reach between two and three feet tall. The clumps can spread out to two to three feet wide. However, it can take up to five years for a Blue Star plant to reach this size.
Best Companion Plants for Blue Star Flowers
The soft color of Blue Star flowers helps them pair well with other plants in a spring border display. Some of the best companions for Blue Star include:
- Alliums
- Catnip (Nepeta)
- Geraniums
- Salvias
A pairing of Blue Star and Oat Grass is also a traditional combination.
How to Grow Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Is Blue Star Considered Easy to Grow?
Blue Star plants are slow growers that can mostly be left to their own devices. They need consistently moist soil but can also tolerate light droughts. Their low-maintenance requirements make them easy to grow and ideal for less-experienced gardeners.
The Best Locations to Plant Blue Star Flowers
Depending on regional climates, Blue Star plants thrive in either full sun or light shade. In hotter, drier areas, provide a slightly shady spot for cover from the afternoon sun. Plant the Blue Star in well-draining neutral soil with plenty of nutrients. They can survive in tougher soils but prefer loamy or sandy growing mediums.
What Are the Best Times of Year to Plant Blue Star Flowers?
Blue Star should be planted in early spring or the fall ready for the following season. Flowering begins in May, so the foliage needs a chance to grow before then. Seeds can be sown outdoors in the middle of spring or fall.
Growing Blue Star Plants From Seed Vs Planting Young Nursery Plants
Blue Star plants grow fairly slowly, so growing them from seed will take quite a while. Seeds can be collected from adult plants once the seed pods have dried out.
If you want to enjoy Blue Star plants more immediately, you can purchase younger plants at nurseries. Once planted, they will reach a decent size in just a couple of years.
What to Do Before Planting Blue Star Flowers
Blue Star requires nutrient-rich soil to truly thrive. Before planting, mix plenty of compost into the soil, especially in sandy conditions. Provide this in the top six to eight inches of soil. Prepare a layer of organic material to go on top of the soil once planting is complete.
This top layer can be made from bark shavings, mulch, or chopped-up leaves. Aim for three inches of mulch at a minimum. Select a position that provides full sun or some partial shade in hotter climates.
If you're planting your Blue Star as part of a border display, consider its position relative to other plants. Take into account the expected mature height and spread.
What's the Best Soil for Blue Star Flowers?
The ideal soil composition for Blue Star requires a well-draining medium that still provides plenty of nutrition. The growing medium also needs to retain some moisture, especially in hotter areas. Loamy or sandy soils are the best possible choices.
The soil should have a neutral pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. Blue Star can also handle slightly poorer mediums that are chalky or stony.
How to Plant Blue Star Flowers
When planting a young or mature Blue Star plant, dig a hole that's about twice the size of the root ball. Place the plant in the hole, covering it with compost and soil. Add an upper layer of mulch and water the plant thoroughly. Allow for 20 to 30 inches between each Blue Star plant.
Blue Star seeds can be sown indoors or outside. For indoor seeds, you'll want to initiate the process two or three months before you want to plant them. The seeds take between four and six weeks to germinate. Maintain the seedlings at a temperature between 58 and 65ºF (14 to 18ºC).
Plant the seedlings out once the final frost has passed in early spring. Any seeds sown outdoors must be protected from cold weather.
Blue Star Flower Light Preferences
Blue Star plants are quite adaptable when it comes to lighting conditions, thriving in direct sun or partial shade. Exposure to full sun creates the most potent flowers but can be detrimental in hotter climates. If you live in an area with higher temperatures, provide some shade for the Blue Star during the afternoon.
Blue Star Temperature & Humidity Preferences
Temperature: As American natives, Blue Star is capable of handling most temperatures across the country. However, they prefer warmer temperatures whenever possible. Minimum temperature should range from 55 to 65ºF (12.7 to 18ºC).
Humidity: Blue Star does best when its soil is kept consistently moist, but it is slightly drought-tolerant. Low to mid humidity suits these plants well.
How to Care For Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Watering Blue Star
Blue Star needs consistent moisture in its soil. Water approximately once per week or when the top of the growing medium feels dry. Water more frequently in hotter climates and scale back in winter.
How, When, and Why to Fertilize
For the best blooms and foliage, start feeding Blue Star once the leaves have emerged in early spring. Use a slow-release fertilizer that can be diluted with water. Feed once every one or two weeks.
Pruning & Cutting Back
As part of its low-maintenance needs, Blue Star doesn't require much pruning. Deadhead any blooms that have expired to encourage fresh flowers. Productive plants tend to droop under the weight of their blooms. Support them with a cane or stake.
Once the plant has ceased flowering, prune the Blue Star back in late fall to around ten inches high. This helps create bushier foliage for next year.
Propagation
As clump-growing plants, propagating Blue Star is pretty straightforward. Dig up the parent plant in the spring and split it into clumps. Each clump should have its own root system. Plant these new Blue Stars with some of the growing medium from the parent plant mixed with fresh compost.
Blue Star can also be propagated through the growth of seeds, which can be harvested from the seed pods in late summer and fall.
Overwintering Blue Star Flowers
Because they are native to the United States, Blue Star plants can survive winter in most areas of the country. In warmer regions especially, no winter protection is necessary.
In Zones 3 or 4, Blue Star plants grown in containers can be overwintered in garages or greenhouses. Seedlings must be protected from the winter chill using a greenhouse or cold frame.
When and How to Repot Blue Star Plants Grown in Containers
Blue Star is a gradual grower, so repotting plants grown in containers isn't required too often. Young plants purchased from nurseries should be planted into the ground or repotted into a larger container.
This is best performed in the spring. Simply plant the specimen into a container with plenty of rich, well-draining growing medium. Allow for at least 20 to 30 inches of spreading space.
Common Blue Star Problems & How to Treat Them
Blue Star plants are surprisingly hardy and don't suffer from many common garden diseases or pests. Here are a couple of problems to look out for:
Overwatering and Underwatering
While Blue Star requires consistent moisture in its soil, too much water can cause problems such as root rot. Not providing enough water, especially in drier climates, leads to drooping stems or wilted foliage. Only water when the top of the growing medium feels dry.
Too Much Light
In most climates, Blue Star loves full sun. But in exceptionally hot climates, too much sun can scorch the leaves. Provide some afternoon shade to protect the plant.
Common Pests & Diseases
Rust diseases are caused by fungus. These ailments can show up as pustules or spots on the foliage. Removing affected leaves immediately and maintaining optimal growing conditions can help prevent rust diseases.
- Gardening gloves to avoid the irritating sap
- Secateurs
- Watering can
- Trowel
Wrap Up
Despite their brief burst of light blue flowers, Blue Star plants are excellent additions to any garden. Their dark green foliage can be enjoyed into the fall, where it then turns a glorious golden-yellow. These plants require minor maintenance and are a great choice for novice gardeners.
Growing Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) FAQs:
Do Blue Star flowers come back every year?
Blue Star plants are flowering perennials and produce flowers each year from May into June.
Do Blue Star flowers attract bees?
Blue Star flowers are great for tempting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into the garden.
Do Blue Star flowers bloom in the first year?
If you're growing Blue Star plants from seed, they won't bloom in their first year.
Do you deadhead Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)?
Deadhead Blue Star plants during their brief flowering season to get as many blooms as possible.
Where is Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) native to?
Blue Star is indigenous to North America, especially the eastern and central United States.
Is Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) considered invasive?
Blue Star grows in slow-growing clumps and won't be at risk of taking over a garden. These plants are not considered invasive.
Source: https://www.petalrepublic.com/how-to-grow-blue-star-flowers/
0 Response to "Can You Sow Blue Star Seeds in the Ground"
Post a Comment