2011 Perennial of the Year: Amsonia hubrichtii

This year the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) named Amsonia hubrichtii the Perennial Plant of the Year.

This plant meets their criteria for a great garden plant:

• low maintenance;
  
• easily propagated;
  
• thrives in a range of climates; and
• looks good for a few seasons.

Pronounced am-SO-nee-ah hew-BRIK-tee-eye, Amsonia is native to North America. It is naturally resistant to insect damage and disease. Deer dislike the milky sap in its stems, which makes it deer tolerant.

Commonly Known
In 1942 Leslie Hubricht found this species growing wild in its native habitat (well-drained creek banks and bottomlands) in Arkansas. Amsonia hubrichtii is also known as: Arkansas Blue Star, Arkansas amsonia, thread-leaf blue star, narrow-leaf blue star, and Hubricht's blue star.

Appearance
In spring Amsonia starts the show with bright green, finely textured foliage that is light and billowy. From late spring to early summer, clusters of small, powdery-blue star-shaped blooms crown her foliage attracting butterflies. Some say her greatest season is autumn as Amsonia's foliage transforms into bright golden-yellow. Her finale is showy seed heads. Unless you want to keep the seed heads, cutting back the stems after flowering by about 6” will help stems stay upright and keep her lovely mound shape.

Shape
When planted in full sun to partial shade, Amsonia will grow in an almost-shrub-like dense mound up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Remember to plant the right plant in the right location. With too much shade, the mound won't flower and stems will lay down.

Location, Location, Location
Ideally suited to a sunny spot in your garden with good drainage. Amsonia looks great as a specimen plant and when planted in groups and borders. She contrasts well with medium to large perennials, shrubs and ornamental grasses. For the most striking contrast, plant her near purple foliage.

“First year, they sleep; second year, creep; third year leap.”

This low-maintenance, versatile North American native is a hardy perennial growing in Zones 4 through 9. As with most perennials, Amsonia will really come into her own in her third year.

Curious about Past Perennial Plant of the Year winners: http://www.perennialplant.org/PPYIndex.asp

Photo Credit: by and (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man)

Resources:
http://perrysperennials.info/articles/choice11.html
http://www.perennialplant.org/
http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news5497.html

by Renee Brannigan