Amsonia 'Blue Ice' Blue Star
Best vibrant perennial for low maintenance garden beauty.
Amsonia 'Blue Ice' is a hybrid Blue Star renowned for its extended bloom period, offering dark blue buds that open from late spring to early summer. Its dark green foliage transforms into a brilliant yellow in the fall, providing seasonal interest. This perennial plant spreads via underground rhizomes, forming an attractive ground cover. It thrives in full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained soil, showing tolerance for drier conditions and clay soil. For those seeking low-maintenance, long-lived native perennials, 'Blue Ice' is an excellent choice for wildflower or mixed borders.
$16.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
2378
/ 4677
#2378 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-39%
Below average
Common Names
Blue Star
/ Blue Star
Who it's for
- Busy gardeners seeking reliable, low-effort landscape solutions
- Homeowners desiring continuous visual interest in their garden beds
- Gardeners in challenging climates or areas with wildlife concerns
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners expecting immediate, dramatic landscape impact
- Enthusiasts prioritizing large, showy, and intensely colored floral displays
- Gardeners with predominantly shady yards or limited full-sun spots
Performance breakdown
Seasonal Versatility
Transitions seamlessly from spring blooms to vibrant autumn foliage.
Maintenance Ease
A low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention.
Environmental Resilience
Handles clay soil and drought conditions with impressive hardiness.
Pollinator Appeal
Reliably draws butterflies to the garden during its extended bloom.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous spread creates a dense, tidy ground cover over time.
Pest Tolerance
Naturally resistant to common garden visitors like deer and rabbits.
Key Specs
Common Names
Blue Star
Zones
4-9
Light Requirements
Full Sun to Light Shade
Soil Preference
Prefers well-drained soil.
Height at Maturity
12-15 inches
Width at Maturity
18 inches
Bloom Color
Blue
Bloom Time
Late spring to early summer
Features
- Extended bloom time with dark blue buds
- Brilliant yellow fall color
- Drought and clay soil tolerant
- Attracts butterflies
- Low maintenance native perennial
- Rhizomatous spread for ground cover
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and robust health of the plants upon arrival. Many reviewers highlight the careful packaging, ensuring specimens arrive vibrant and ready to thrive. The striking blue flowers and compact growth habit are frequently admired, contributing significantly to garden aesthetics. Gardeners appreciate its reliable performance and beautiful display, making it a highly valued addition to various landscapes. This plant offers a dependable and visually appealing experience.
Know before you buy
Since 'Blue Ice' reaches a width of about 18 inches at maturity, spacing them 15 to 18 inches apart will allow the rhizomes to fill in and create a cohesive ground cover over time.
Yes, 'Blue Ice' is notably tolerant of clay soil. However, it still performs best when the planting site has decent drainage to prevent water from pooling around the roots.
It is a very low-maintenance plant. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and generally requires little more than cutting back the foliage after it turns yellow in the fall.
Yes, 'Blue Ice' is considered resistant to both deer and rabbits. While no plant is entirely immune to hungry wildlife, it is rarely a preferred snack for them.
While it is primarily used as a border or ground cover plant, it can grow in containers. Just ensure the pot has excellent drainage and keep in mind that container-grown plants may need more frequent watering than those in the ground.
You can expect blooms from late spring through early summer. Its reputation for an 'extended' bloom period refers to the fact that it holds its flowers longer than many other traditional perennials.
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