baltimoresun.com

« Weekend garden chores | Main | A mother and child reunion »

December 3, 2010

Perennial of the year! Amsonia hubrichtii

Perennial Plant of the Year, 2011

Photo credit: Steven Sill/Perennial Plant Association

I am sooooo cool!

I just purchased Amsonia hubrichtii for a spot in my garden and, wouldn't you know it, it has been named perennial plant of the year for 2011 by the Perennial Plant Association!

Also known as "Arkansas blue star" or "thread-leaf blue star," this native perennial will form a mound about 36 inches high and 36 inches wide. It has blue flowers in late spring and bright yellow-gold fall color.

The growing requirements include:

  • Light – Plants thrive in full sun to partial shade
  • Soil – This plant performs best in average, moist well-drained soil but tolerates less moisture. Once established, it can tolerate drier conditions.
  • Uses – This perennial for the seasons is an asset in borders, native gardens, cottage gardens, or open woodland areas. It is best when massed. Arkansas blue star is attractive when mixed with ornamental grasses and plants that have attractive seed heads.
  • Unique Qualities – Light blue flowers in spring are followed by marvelous foliage in summer.
  • Golden-yellow fall color is second to none among herbaceous perennials.
  • Hardiness – USDA Zones 4 to 9.
  • The association chooses a plant every year that it believes homneowners can grow with confidence. For a list of past perennials of the year, you can visit the PPA website.

     

    Perennial of the year, 2011

     

    Photo credit: Melanie Blandford

    Posted by Susan Reimer at 10:00 AM |
    Categories: Garden news
            
    About Susan Reimer
    Susan Reimer has spent 16 years writing about raising kids - among other topics - in her column for The Baltimore Sun. And every time son Joseph or daughter Jessie passed another milestone - driver's license, college, wedding or a move to a new military duty station - she has planted another garden. Now she will be writing about those gardens - and yours - here on Garden Variety.

    Susan isn't an expert gardener, but she wasn't an expert mother, either. Both - the kids and the gardens - seem to be doing well in spite of her.

    She lives in Annapolis with her husband, Gary Mihoces, who loves to cut his grass but has noticed that there seems to be less of it every time the kids pass another milestone.
    -- ADVERTISEMENT --

    Gardener's Supply Company - Deal of the Week
    From The Baltimore Sun
    Home & Garden section
    Most Recent Comments
    Photo galleries
    Home & Garden marketplace
    • Sign up for the At Home newsletter
    The home and garden newsletter includes design tips and trends, gardening coverage, ideas for DIY projects and more.
    See a sample | Sign up

    Stay connected