Also known as Bluestar · 903 gardener saves
Amsonia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Amsonia, the genus most gardeners know as bluestar. We track 20 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Amsonia varieties
Of 20 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedStorm Cloud Blue Star
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Storm Cloud'
#2 most savedArkansas Blue Star
Amsonia hubrichtii
#3 most savedBlue Star Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Blue Star'
Bluestar
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Blue Ice Amsonia
Amsonia orientalis 'Blue Ice'
Blue Ice Bluestar
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Glacier Blue'
Blue Star Amsonia
Amsonia ciliata
Blue Star Amsonia
Amsonia montana
Willowleaf Blue Star
Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Willowleaf Blue Star'
Short Stack Amsonia Short Stack Blue Star
Amsonia montana 'Short Stack'
Shining Blue Star
Amsonia illustris
Willowleaf Bluestar
Amsonia salicifolia
Browse all 20 Amsonia varieties →
How to grow Amsonia
What the Amsonia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 20 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Amsonia year
- Spring CleanupFebruary95% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stems to the ground before new growth starts
- PruneMay and June90% of varieties
Cut back stems by 1/3 after flowering to maintain a dense, mounded shape
- DivideMarch and September50% of varieties
Divide large, established clumps every 3-5 years in spring or fall
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to promote bushiness
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Prune after flowering to shape the plant
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Amsonia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Webbing and stippled leaves | Apply miticide or spray with water |
| None significant | This plant is virtually pest-free. | No action is typically required. |
| None | This plant is virtually pest-free. | No action is typically required. Its milky sap deters most insects and herbivores. |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves, mushy roots | Improve drainage, reduce watering, use organic fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if necessary |
Making more Amsonia
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring.
- Split into smaller sections with a sharp knife.
- Replant divisions immediately in desired location.
- Water thoroughly and mulch around divisions.
Seed
- Sow seeds in fall or cold stratify for 3-4 weeks before spring sowing.
Amsonia questions
How many types of Amsonia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 20 distinct Amsonia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 903 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Amsonia grow in?
Across its varieties, Amsonia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Amsonia bloom?
Most Amsonia varieties bloom in late spring, mid-spring, mid to late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Amsonia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Amsonia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
