| Amsonia tabernaemontana   With its willow-like leaves and clustered blooms, 
                            this beautiful native plant looks somewhat similar 
                            to garden phlox, but blooms much earlier. Cut back 
                            in early spring, to produce a fuller bushier plant. 
                           With leaves that turn golden yellow and the narrow 
                            brown seedpods, this is also a beautiful plant in 
                            the fall. Common name: Eastern bluestar; Blue 
                            dogbane  Ideal conditions: average moist well-drained 
                            soil in full sun to part shade; may become floppy 
                            if grown in too much shade or too rich a soil; good 
                            drought tolerance Ideas and companions: 
                             
                           
 Foliage: 60-90 cm (24-36") 
                            in height; Flowers: 60-90 cm (24-36") 
                            in height; 3/4" in diameter, light blue, in clusters; 
                            spring; long narrow attractive seedpods in late summer Coldest zone: 3 (find 
                            your zone; further info on plant hardiness) Season of interest: spring to frost Native to: south central and south 
                            eastern USA Pronunciation: Amsonia (am-SO-nee-ah) 
                            tabernaemontana (tab-er-nay-mon-TAN-ah) [image 
                            plus a map showing its distribution in North America]        |