Mt. Cuba Center: Research Trials
Plant enthusiasts should be foaming at the mouth! Mt. Cuba Center hit another home run again this year. In 2023 they captured a lot of attention with a study on Carex, which often flies under the radar. This February, they published their research from a ten-plus year trial period for twenty Amsonia (common name “Bluestars'“). Mt. Cuba Center’s trials are fascinating in that they compare cultivars and hybrids from the US and elsewhere alongside the straight species such as Amsonia hubrichtii from Arkansas, A. tabernaemontana, and A. ciliata. For those already familiar with Amsonia - we love it for the texture that the foliage brings to the landscape. For those less familiar, Amonsia has beautiful light blue blooms in Spring, and depending upon the type and conditions - the plant can put on an extremely showy late-season display of glowing fall colors.
Pictured here: A planting we did in Germantown, TN - Amsonia along with Erigeron, Baptisia, Monarda and Pycnanthemum. Learn more here.
The Bottom Line
Key takeaways from the study reassure us that Amsonia is proven to be a healthy, vigorous, and very long-lived perennial. The plants received high ratings overall. In my own experience planting Amsonia around the Memphis area, I cannot seem to kill it. From shadier, moist winter conditions, to drier soil and a lot of sun - this plant is tough as nails and I love to use it for that reason. It has interesting seed pods (and seeds) and is easy to take divisions for propagation.
The Mt. Cuba Center study included a look at pollinator activity - which saw a range of early spring bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and moths utilizing the flowers. Amsonia is a host plant for the snowberry clearwing. The study covers native and non-native Amsonia pollinator activity, for plantings in part shade to full sun conditions with minimal care given to the plants - including no watering after the first year. Their highlight of dwarf-form cultivars is worth keeping an eye out for there and in plant nurseries.
Design considerations
From a design perspective, Amsonia can be a slow-growing, shorter to medium-height plant. Some Amsonia may have cascading tendencies and do well saddled up next to sturdy plants like Baptisia and grasses such as Panicum. Amsonia looks fantastic with a variety of perennials, making it a good gradual transition option from one plant form to another when placed between them.
Click here to read the full trial results for Amsonia.
Click here to learn about Mt. Cuba Center.
