Not loud and showy but very good value, long lived plants that look good over a long season in the garden, Amsonia deserve to be planted more.
Tightly clump forming from generally woody bases with more or less upright willowy stems clothed with equally willowy leaves. The clusters of flowers at the top range from deep inky blue, sky blues and pretty pastel blues (with a hint of pink) to the rare white forms.
Happy in most decent soils, with some moisture retention, and tolerant of brief flooding and droughts Amsonia are pretty tough plants. From the open areas of north America they are happiest in open parts of the garden in full sun, without too much competing around them.
Tight clumps of upright stems topped with clusters of starry, porcelaine blue flowers in late spring and summer to 45cm. Broad, fresh green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Drained soil in sun.
Seedlings from the excellent Amsonia 'Ernst Pagels'. It has proved very fertile and produces strong seedlings. Hopefully tall, willowy plants topped with large light blue flowers and good autumn colour.
