This stunning Amsonia species is known for having an exceptional display of pale blue flowers in May and June. Globular clusters of small, star-shaped flowers cover the upright, vase-shaped plant for several weeks, and long, narrow leaves remain a shiny green all summer long, changing to an attractive yellow in fall (other common names are shining blue star and willowleaf bluestar). Leave the foliage uncut during winter to enjoy its snow-covered silhouette and provide cover for insects, small mammals, and even birds. Deer will avoid browsing the foliage due to its milky sap. 
 
Ozark bluestar is an exceptionally easy plant to grow in domestic gardens. This particular species prefers medium to moist, well-drained soils and full or part sun, but it adapts well to a range of soil types with average moisture. When grown in full sun, plants are fairly compact. In part shade and/or in rich soils, however, plants tend to become more open and floppy. They can be cut back by a third after flowering to encourage shorter, sturdier stems. Because of their long taproots and dense, fibrous root systems, bluestars can tolerate dry spells once established. The woody root system also makes it difficult to divide and transplant the mature plant; fortunately, bluestars rarely need to be divided. Be patient the first few years as the plant grows fairly slowly. Once it reaches maturity, it will reward you with many years of low-maintenance beauty.
Most Amsonia species are native to the US and Mexico, and these adaptable, attractive plants have become more popular in domestic landscapes. The Chicago Botanic Garden conducted a comparative study of hardy amsonias, and A. illustris had one of the highest rankings. According to the study, this species received excellent ratings because of "high flower production, superior habit, good health and winter hardiness.”
 
The Amsonia genus was named for 18th-century Virginia physician and botanist John Amson. Illustris means "brilliant" or "lustrous," referring to the glossy foliage.
 
Native habitats include floodplains, gravel bars, stream banks, and wetlands in the southwestern US. Does well when planted by ponds or streams or in rain gardens. Use as a specimen or planted en masse in perennial borders, deciduous woodlands, mixed-shrub borders, or naturalized areas. Suggested companion plants include coneflowers, false indigo, butterfly milkweed, oakleaf hydrangea, black-eyed Susans, and New England aster.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 2-3' tall and 1-1.5' wide.
 
Prefers full to part sun. 
 
Prefers moist, loamy soils but does well in a variety of average, well-drained soils, including clay.
 
Blooms in late spring with  terminal, pyramidal clusters of 1/2", star-shaped, light blue flowers. Flowers have 5 spreading petals fused into a tubular corolla with a calyx at its base.
 
Leaves are narrow, linear, and up to 6" long. 
 
Reproductive System: each flower contains male and female parts (perfect). 
 
Wildlife Value:
Bluestars are a host plant for snowberry clearwing moths and coral hairstreak butterflies. They support early-season pollinators, including native bees and hummingbirds.  As with many members of the Apocynaceae family, including milkweed, bluestars produce a milky sap that discourages browsing by deer and other mammals.
 
Resources:
Chicago Botanical Garden
: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/downloads/planteval_notes/no18_amsonia.pdf
 
Coastal Point
: https://www.coastalpoint.com/lifestyle/bluestar-an-important-early-season-resource-for-pollinators/article_044071f4-e796-11ee-9fe8-47af7303f6d8.html
 
Missouri Botanical Garden:
 https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276086&isprofile=1&basic=Amsonia%20illustris
 
Mount Cuba Center
: https://tinyurl.com/m7k94ssn
 
Penn State Extension
: https://tinyurl.com/yasz6v9e
 
RichDarke.com
: https://www.rickdarke.com/Amsonia.pdf