Amsonia x 'Starstruck' (Bluestar)

Amsonia x 'Starstruck' is a hybrid Amsonia cultivar noted for its more compact, mound-forming habit and its more vivid blue flowers than other Amsonia varieties. Typically reaching only 20" in height, this cultivar's compact but upright nature makes it a good pick for border plantings and small areas, but size isn't everything. With the typical star-shaped flowers of other Amsonia but in a deeper, darker shade of blue, you're sure to be 'Starstruck' in the spring and summer, as this cultivar attracts butterflies and pollinators to a variety of small garden spaces with its showy blooms.

Most Amsonias grow best in moist, average soils with some loam content, but many are also tolerant of drier spots and some drought. 'Starstruck' thrives in full sun or part-shade, but different light levels can affect the plant's flowering habits or foliage colors; direct sunlight will produce the most vibrant fall colors, as 'Starstruck' foliage turns a vibrant golden-yellow in the autumn. However, flowers may last longer and perform better in locations with some afternoon shade. All that said, wherever you choose to plant your Amsonia x 'Starstruck,' it will be a show-stopper in the garden.