Reference

Bluestar / Amsonia

Amsonia 'Blue Ice'
From Avant Gardens in spring 2018
Added more from Bluestone Perennials in spring 2020

Amsonia jonesii
From Waterwise plant sale in spring 2019

Photos

Amsonias are slow, slow, slow to get going, taking 3 years to bulk up. 

Expectations:
Here's what Jones amsonia could have looked like?

Amsonia jonesii only a foot tall and narrow,
upright. But mine never grew at all. Gone now.

Some pictures of Blue Ice, spread out and bulked up and blooming beautifully in my old garden in mid June:


It's a low mounder that spreads out. The foliage is narrow and a clean green, then turns buff to golden yellow in fall. The flowers last a long time and are pretty purple-blue stars.

I loved them in my former garden next to yellow flowering sedums. 


Experiences:
The 'Blue Ice' at the foot of the fence by the patio table struggled with too much root competition and too dry soil. They stayed tiny and stunted while the ones in the guest room window garden bulked up nicely.

In fall 2020 the little ones by the fence had great yellow color. The 'Blue Ice' at the foot of the Peggy Martin rose were bigger than the fence line ones in 2020, but had no fall color. Difference in shade / sun?

The three at the foot of the Peggy Martin rose did really well. I added more in spring 2020.

In 2021 I moved the Blue Ice plants struggling at the foot of the fence and put them all together in the guest room window garden where the soil is richer and it says wetter. 

Blue Ice in 2023

The Jones amsonia never grew to more than an inch over three years, with two or three leaves. It is a native bluestar and an upright plant only getting a foot tall and vase shaped. But. I took it out in 2021.