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Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’

COMMON NAME: Arkansas Bluestar

BOTANICAL NAME: Amsonia hubrichtii

USDA ZONE: 4-9

SUNLIGHT: Full Sun to Mostly Sunny

SOIL CONDITIONS: Prefers average, moist well-drained soil but tolerates less moisture. Once established, it can tolerate drier conditions.

HABIT: 36x36”

FEATURES: Early spring bloom of light blue flowers, good summer green color with fine texture, great yellow to orange fall color.

This was the 2011 Perennial Plant Association plant of the year, and it continues to be an excellent plant over a decade on. As our climate trends warmer and drier, this is an excellent all-around perennial for the middle to back of the garden. For nearly year-round interest, look no further than Amsonia hubrichtii. Early spring blooms, summer green, and a blaze of fall color make this an excellent plant for all seasons. Also, look at the other options within the Amsonia genus. There are options for almost all areas of the garden with different heights, bloom dates, and intensity of bloom color. Outside of the hubrichtii species, some favorite cultivars have been introduced from the tabernaemontana species and include ‘Storm Cloud’ and ‘Blue Ice.’

Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’

COMMON NAME: ANNUAL VINCA, PERIWINKLE

BOTANICAL NAME: Catharanthus roseus

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN

HEIGHT: 6-14”

SPREAD: 8-10”

SOIL CONDITIONS: PREFERS WELL DRAINED SOIL BUT CAN HANDLE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOIL CONDITIONS

FEATURES: GLOSSY GREEN FOILIAGE, SHOWY 1-3 INCH FLOWERS, SPREADING AND UPRIGHT VARIETIES ALLOWING FOR DIFFERENT USES

WHY WE LOVE IT: THE HOT AND HUMID SUMMERS WE OFTEN HAVE IN IOWA ARE WHAT THIS PLANT THRIVES IN. VINCA DOESN’T REQUIRE THE CONSTANT WATERING THAT MANY ANNUALS DO. IT WILL FLOWER BEAUTIFULLY THROUGH DRY SPELLS. AS THE HOT SUMMER DRAGS ON VINCA NEVER GETS THE ‘SPENT’ LOOK THAT ANNUALS OFTEN DO AFTER A LONG SEASON. IT LOOKS FRESH RIGHT UP UNTIL FROST AND GIVES BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS THROUGH THE WHOLE SEASON. MY FAVORITE VARIETIES COME FROM THE ‘CORA XDR’ LINE WHICH FEATURES MANY COLORS OF BOTH UPRIGHT AND CASCADING VINCA.

COMMON NAME: Northern Bush Honeysuckle

BOTANICAL NAME: Diervilla

USDA ZONE: 4a-7b

SUNLIGHT: Full Shade to Full Sun

SOIL CONDITIONS: Moist well-drained but drought-tolerant

HABIT: 3-4’ x 3-4’ Mounded

This plant is not the invasive honeysuckle Lonicera! To the contrary, it is a native and attracts many of our favorite pollinators including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with its light yellow flowers.

This plant is extremely durable to just about any condition. It grows in full shade to full sun. it is drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant. It stays true to its habit and doesn’t require maintenance – though will welcome a trim in spring like most cut-back shrubs as it blooms on new wood. There are many great cultivars including the Kodiak series by Proven Winners that have wonderful colored foliage including Orange, Red, and a Dark Maroon. It is an excellent way to add some color interest – especially in shady spots where weigela, ninebark, and barberry won’t thrive. In fact the bright red color in the Fall makes this plant an excellent native replacement for the popular invasive burning bush.

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