Common Name: Eastern Bluestar

Scientific Name: Amsonia tabernaemontana

Family: Apocynaceae

Habitat: Open Woodlands, Thickets, Hedgerows

Native: Yes

Life Cycle: Perennial

Bloom Time: Spring, Summer

Height: Up to 3 feet

Light: Full sun to partial sun

Soil: Moist, Well drained, Loamy, Sandy

Pollinators: Hummingbirds, Birds, Bees, Butterflies

Description: Eastern Bluestar is a native perennial that can be identified by its cylindrical clusters of light blue, star-shaped flowers and its willow-shaped leaves. Eastern Bluestar can be found blooming between late spring and early summer in open woodlands, in thickets, or along hedgerows where it prefers to grow in full sun and moist, loamy soil. Eastern Bluestar attracts many pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies and can make a valuable addition to native wildflower gardens or pollinator gardens. This photo of Eastern Bluestar was taken in the Woodland Garden at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.