Amsonia tabernaemontana

(Question)

Hello, my new purchase at the May Plant Sale! Is the lovely blooming Amsonia. I would not have expected it to be blooming now esp. in weather this weekend, so cool!
-Does the Amsonia usually bloom early in May?
-Will it bloom in filtered light from large Red Oak tree?
Looking forward to your news and thank you!

(Answer)

I’m glad you like your new Amsonia.  It’s difficult to find a true blue flower that is tolerant of part-sun and moist locations.  This plant is also a wonderful marginal or rain garden perennial.  As with many perennials, they make their flower statement once a season, and then are gone until the following year.

I have found with Amsonia that the flowers tend to last a bit longer than other spring flowering perennials, and when finished flowering they form a dense, wispy clump which looks amazing in a garden with a more loose, organic structure, as opposed to a formal, clipped style.

This is not a commonly planted perennial, however is becoming more popular, is easy to grow and will continue to please each spring.   You will find a bit more information in the attached link.

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276088&isprofile=0&