Amsonia 'Starstruck'

Amsonia 'Starstruck': Brilliant Blue Blooms and Bold Foliage Form

With its lush foliage, vibrant spring flowers, and golden autumn tones, Amsonia 'Starstruck' offers dynamic, multi-season appeal in a compact, garden-friendly form. Star-shaped periwinkle-blue blooms appear in late spring above broad, glossy green leaves that lend a bold, almost tropical texture to the border. Through summer, its dense clumps remain upright and clean, transitioning to a brilliant golden display in fall. Resilient and easy to grow, this is a refined take on native Amsonia that suits modern plantings and traditional designs alike.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm
• Spread: 60–75 cm, forming a dense, rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Bright periwinkle-blue
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Broad, glossy green leaves that turn vibrant golden-yellow in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade (best fall colour in full sun)
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil; tolerant of average to dry conditions

Uses and Benefits: 'Starstruck' delivers flower power, summer structure, and autumn brilliance in one compact plant. Ideal for mass plantings, mixed borders, or wildlife-friendly designs, it provides long-lasting texture and colour with little maintenance. Its tidy form makes it easy to pair with neighbouring perennials, and its deer resistance and drought tolerance make it a practical choice for sustainable landscapes.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Starstruck' with Echinacea 'Sunny Days Ruby'—its bold raspberry-red blooms contrast beautifully with the soft blue stars of Amsonia. Add Salvia 'Pink Profusion' for vertical rhythm and continuous summer colour. For seasonal movement and fine texture, include Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues', whose silvery blades shift to warm coppery tones in fall, echoing Amsonia’s golden foliage.

Care Instructions: Water regularly during the first season to establish roots. Once established, 'Starstruck' is drought tolerant and requires little care. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring. Divide every few years to maintain vigour and shape. No staking required.

History: A modern selection of Amsonia tabernaemontana, 'Starstruck' was bred for improved flower density, compact habit, and stronger fall colour. It offers all the resilience of its native parent species with an added layer of refinement, making it a versatile performer in both traditional and contemporary garden settings.

Final Thoughts: Amsonia 'Starstruck' blends striking seasonal colour with bold texture and reliable structure. Its celestial blooms, lush foliage, and glowing fall display make it a standout in any sunny to lightly shaded garden. Whether massed or mixed, it brings native charm and refined performance from spring to frost.