Spring layers
Plant notes · May 2024
‘Grande’ Bluestar Amsonia is a gorgeous native perennial. It is low-maintenance, deer-resistance and blooms in spring. Even after the flowers have bloomed, the lush foliage looks elegant and pairs perfectly with grasses and other flowering perennials.
The progression of the seasons is beautiful. Spring erupts with all of the fun bulbs we know well. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses are all beautiful.
The native forest perennials like bluebells, tiarella, iris, and phlox have delicate flowers that peak early in the season as the trees begin to leaf out.
Amsonia is an outstanding perennial for the full-sun landscape. The beautiful stems lead to gorgeous light blue flowers that stay for weeks at a time. My favorite variety is Amsonia tabernamontana ‘Grande’.
The foliage is a beautiful glossy green and the flowers are larger that the species. It always surprises me how lush and full it is during the early part of the season and it fills in a really nice window before the summer pernnials are in bloom.
This landscape on Sabine Road in Wynnewood is several years old and continuing to mature. The Amsonia planted there looks gorgeous right now.
