Plant Profile Series: Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Short Stack’

by Kelly D. Norris

Many of the plants on the market today were obscure weeds not a long time ago.  The purview of the plant improver has ceased to know limits on the crops which can undergo development for the home garden.  Such is the case with the blue stars or Amsonias.  Charming, cheerful blue combs of flowers are a surefire pleaser in the spring garden and often beg the question “Why didn’t you try me sooner?” to the satisfied onlooker.

I could spend pages extolling the virtues of the many species and cultivars of Amsonia available.  The roughly 20 species in the genus, all but one of which are American in origin, are known for their showy azure blue flowers borne in cylindrical clusters.  Amsonia hubrichtii and A. ciliata or Hubricht’s and fringed blue star, respectively, are two fairly common species on the market today that ten years ago few gardeners would have even heard of.  This by no means should imply that they are yet mainstream plants by any modern standards.  Both are native to the southern and south central United States, while being reliably hardy to zones 4 and 5, and are valued for their threadlike to needlelike foliage.  In the fall the clothes of heaven cringe jealously at the emblazoned tapestry of golden foliage that adorns the pest free A. hubrichtii and A. ciliata.  If you are looking for superb fall color in a plant that won’t mope around the garden in the summer, try either Hubricht’s or fringed blue star.

Yet another fine species, sometimes more commonly available than the previous two, is Amsonia tabernaemontana whose wretchedly wordy name does it no favors.  Eastern blue star, as it is easier called, is a much taller plant than the compact, fringed blue star trotting in at around three feet in height.

But don’t let the height of Eastern blue star scare you away.  A smaller cultivar selected called ‘Short Stack’ is just the plant for the gardener with limited space.  ‘Short Stack’ is a beautifully compact plant at only 10-12 inches tall and about 18” wide.  I am particularly fond of this cultivar not only because it was the first blue star that I grew in my garden but because of its well kept habit.  Having been through the gamut of Midwest weather since being planted, it is a reliable performer in everything from sweltering humidity to parching droughts and never shows any signs of disease or pest damage.

The best part about the blue stars, and specifically ‘Short Stack’, has been their persistent nature in the garden.  Blue stars are staple perennials of the garden and seem to thrive on neglect that is, tolerating almost all soil ranges, full sun, and blistering summer weather.  The glossy green foliage of ‘Short Stack’ complete with a cream midrib turns a shiny lemon yellow color in the fall, completing a season’s worth of appeal.

Blue stars combine well with many other perennials and in my garden are paired with shorter irises who marry well in height and pastel colors.  Oriental lilies and gauras are a nice backdrop for the tidy foliage in the summer as well.  If you are looking for a perennial that will continue to please for years to come why not try a blue star, especially Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Short Stack’? GG

Kelly D Norris is a contributing editor for Garden & Greenhouse, farm manager for Rainbow Iris Farm and is working on his undergraduate degree in horticulture at Iowa State University. You can reach him by calling 712.621.5399 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . You read his blog at http://e-gardenalmanac.blogspot.com .