Amsonia

Amsonia illustris is a fascinating long-lived perennial that will surprise you with several transformations throughout the year. Its original home is in the eastern regions of the United States, where it naturally grows in moister grassy habitats. Thanks to this, it is extremely adaptable and in our gardens it will appreciate humous and loamy soil, whether in full sun or partial shade. In a sunny spot, expect its delicate flowers to fade slightly faster. You will receive a well-rooted seedling in a pot from us, which you just need to transplant directly to the selected spot in the flowerbed, ideally at a spacing of about fifty to sixty centimeters. It doesn't need support, easily withstands frosts down to minus twenty-eight degrees, and common diseases and pests avoid it, so even complete beginners can handle growing it. At the turn of May and June, it forms tufts of fresh green leaves that resemble a willow. It grows up to eighty centimeters tall and is soon adorned with star-shaped flowers in sky and light blue shades. These flowers not only look beautiful, but reliably attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators from the wide surroundings. Gardeners love it for its variability. Early in the spring, it captivates with dark emerging shoots, and in the autumn its leaves turn beautiful mustard yellow tones, bringing a warm autumn atmosphere to the garden. It fits perfectly into mixed perennial beds, where it will complement ornamental grasses well. Since the entire plant is poisonous, it is good to handle it carefully. If you like creating your own bouquets, you will also love amsonia for floral use, although it is not suitable for drying. Its blue flowers will add softness and elegance to any vase. When cut, however, the stems exude a white milky sap. To make it last as long as possible in a vase, it is necessary to sear the ends of the stems with a flame after cutting and only then immediately place them in water. Thanks to this little trick, you can enjoy the fresh flowers for up to ten days.