The Blue star or the Blue dogbane is also called Amsonia tabernaemontana scientifically. This striking plant with its beautiful blue flowers can mainly be found in the southern parts of Missouri and a few more counties in the area of St. Louis. In general it is found all over the south eastern part of United States covering the areas between New York, Kansas, Texas and Florida. The Blue star has three different varieties on the basis of the shape of its inflorescence and leaf. This plant in the wild will mainly be found in open wooded areas, slopes, thickets, roadsides, ravines and on railroads.
The Blue star plant is about 2 to 4 feet tall and will spread and have a bushy appearance if it is left to flourish in an open area. The plant has light green stems measuring about half a centimeter in diameter, and the roots are thick and woody. The leaves have a bright green color on the top and the underside is a paler shade of green. The leaves are spaced alternately on this slender plant and measure about 6 inches in length and have a width of 2.5 inches, where they are widest. They have a slightly narrow, ovate shape, with smooth margins and without any hair. The petiole of the leaf is slender and about an inch long. The stems on the upper section of the plant end in small panicles of flowers.
This plant is named Blue star because of the beauty of its flowers. The flowers are pale blue in color and grow in large clusters. They are about half an inch to three quarters of an inch across, having five slender petals. The corolla is tubular in shape having five lobes that have a wide spread. The narrow lobes which are the petals, make a star-like design. At the base of each petal, there is a spot of pale yellow or white. The calyx is very short and has teeth which are triangular and five in number. The corolla's narrow throat has white hair turning inwards in a ring formation which guards its nectar from ants and other creatures. The panicle branches are green in color without any hair, and they change color as they start withering. The flowers do not seem to have any scent.
When the flower get fertilised, it gets replaced with a couple of follicles which are cylindrical in shape, having a length of about 4 to 5 inches. A single follicle has small seeds which are also cylindrical in shape and placed in one row. When the follicle splits it releases these seeds and the plant propagates itself by reseeding.
An attractive plant for use in borders and rock gardens . It is best grown in groups, having many plants.
The Blue star needs a well-drained soil which is fertile and moist. The best areas to grow them is in moist wooded areas and on the banks of streams. It requires a good amount of sunlight but also does well in partial shade. Propagation can be through seeds or by dividing the root.
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