Amsonia ciliata

Amsonia ciliata, the fringed Amsonia, is a hardy perennial plant that bears panicles of very pale blue star-shaped flowers in late spring or summer. They emerge from feathery foliage, composed of very thin, dark green leaves that turn yellow to bronze in autumn. It is ideal for adding lightness to borders when planted in groups. It prefers well-drained but moist soils in summer, and a semi-shaded position.

Amsonia ciliata belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is native to the southeastern United States, growing in sandy soils, in the undergrowth, in wet environments. The plant develops feathery foliage and numerous hairy stems that forms large upright and slightly spreading clumps, reaching about 75 cm (30in) in height. Long buds open into small very pale blue flowers. They are grouped in panicles and bloom abundantly between May and July, depending on the climate. The leaves are dark green, 3 to 7 cm (1 to 3in) long, lanceolate, very narrow, bordered with hairs when young. The deciduous foliage takes on beautiful autumnal colours, turning yellow or bronze, before disappearing for the winter.

Very hardy, Amsonia grows easily in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained and moist soil that does not dry out in summer. A magnificent ornamental plant for gardens, the abundant and light foliage of Amsonia ciliata enhances all its neighbours. You can easily integrate it into a perennial border with plants with a natural habit, such as willowherbs, vernonias, day lilies, perennial geraniums, or with grasses that prefer moist soil. It is also an excellent plant for semi-shade, to be associated with bleeding hearts, fern-leaved columbines, and Japanese anemones, which will take over in August-September. Planted in groups, in the company of baptisias and sunflowers, the amsonia creates an evocative and wild scene, as if from another continent.