Amsonia Blue Ice

Possibly derived from the wide-leaved Amsonia (Amsonia tabernaemontana), the Amsonia 'Blue Ice' is a hybrid that combines many qualities. It stands out with a longer flowering period, in panicles of small star-shaped flowers whose pale blue is more intense and deeper than any other Amsonia. It is also a variety with a more compact habit, forming beautiful bushy clumps adorned with dark green willow-like foliage that turns yellow in autumn. This hardy and vigorous perennial will bring lightness and rural charm to borders and beds. It takes a little longer to establish but is easy to grow in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained, fairly moist soil.

Amsonia is a plant from the apocynaceae family, native to the northeast and central United States. It is found growing in sandy soils, in understory, in wet environments. The 'Blue Ice' variety develops many stems that form bushy, flexible clumps over time, reaching about 40 cm (16in) high when flowering and over 50 cm (20in) wide. This plant takes time to establish, but is perennial and lives for many years. Its long deep blue buds open into small, very bright, ice-blue flowers which look like very open tubes. They are grouped in pyramidal panicles and bloom abundantly for several weeks between May and July. The leaves resemble those of willow and are a bright dark green, 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2in) long, lanceolate and very attractive even outside of the flowering period. The deciduous foliage takes on a beautiful yellow in autumn.

Amsonias are very hardy and grow easily in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer. A magnificent ornamental plant for gardens,  Amsonia 'Blue Ice' enhances all its neighbours. You can easily integrate it into a border of perennials with daylilies, willowherbs, vernonias, African lilies, perennial geraniums or grasses that prefer moist soil. It is also an excellent plant for partial shade, to be associated with bleeding hearts and Japanese anemones, which will take over in August-September. Planted en masse in front of a plantation of baptisias and sunflowers, Amsonia creates an emotional and wild scene as if from another continent. Its flowers are also very beautiful in summer bouquets.