Why Plant Arkansas Blue Star?
Arkansas Bluestar isn’t exactly a household name, but more and more people are falling in love with this dreamy Spirit. What’s the fuss about? Fabulous foliage! Arkansas Bluestar makes a fluffy mound of fine green foliage that’s as soft as feathers. Though it’s a good-sized plant, it gives an airy feel to the garden. But great texture is just the beginning. In fall, the leaves turn a rich golden color. And that’s still not the whole story! Yet another seasonal drama occurs in spring, when pale sky-blue flower clusters open, attracting early-season butterflies. This plant is truly a joy from spring through late fall.
Botanically speaking, Arkansas Bluestar is a relatively new discovery, having first been described in 1942. It is native to a small region that extends from Arkansas to Oklahoma and was initially spotted by a man named Leslie Hubricht. Hubricht was a self-educated biologist whose formal education stopped after only one semester of high school. He was working at the Missouri Botanical Garden at the time of his discovery, though his true passion wasn’t plants, but mollusks. In fact, he named 81 new snails over the course of his studies! But we digress. Arkansas Bluestar languished in obscurity until about the 1990s, when it finally started to get the respect it deserved.
How to use Arkansas Blue Star in the landscape?
Landscape designers and gardeners in the know have been enchanted with Arkansas Bluestar, or Arkansas Amsonia, for a couple of decades now. The Perennial Plant Association got on board in 2011 and named it their Perennial Plant of the Year. This honor goes to a Spirit the PPA feels is beautiful in multiple seasons, adaptable, easy to grow, and resistant to pests and diseases.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
How To Plant Arkansas Blue Star
Give Arkansas Bluestar room to grow—it makes a rather large plant, though it takes a while to reach its mature size. It prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade and will accept any kind of soil as long as it drains well. Water regularly while it is getting established. Once it is well rooted, it will be fairly drought tolerant. Arkansas Bluestar may be cut back by half after the blooms are spent to encourage tighter, bushier growth. Cut the whole plant down in late winter or whenever it starts to look unsightly. Pests and diseases are rarely a concern with this tough native Spirit.
How To Water
Water as soon as Arkansas Blue Star arrives! Blue Stars plants need to be watered regularly to maintain evenly moist soil to properly establish in the landscape.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
