Amsonia ciliata 'Spring Sky'
Spring Sky blue star or Spring Sky Fringed bluestar
Delicate, light-blue flowers are borne in terminal clusters and held well above the foliage, blooming mid spring atop sturdy, erect stems. Flowers are larger, more prominent, fully opened & last longer than the straight species. A clump forming perennial with finely textured, clean green foliage. Cooler temperatures coax leaves into a golden-yellow to bronze cast. Discovered at the Henry Foundation in Philadelphia, PA.
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Introduced to North Creek by Rick Darke who discovered it on a visit to the Henry Foundation in Philadelphia, PA |
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Plants of this species collected in the wild by botanist Mary Henry |
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Exceptional heat and drought tolerance |
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Flowers are larger, more prominent, fully opened & last longer than the species |
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Fine textured foliage mimics that of A. hubrichtii but the fall color is golden yellow to bronze |
Height18-24 Inches |
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Spread18-24 Inches |
Bloom Color
Light BlueUSDA Hardiness Zone 4-9
Interesting Notes
The Henry Foundation for Botanical Research (50 acres) is a nonprofit botanical garden located at 801 Stony Lane, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. The garden was established in 1948 by botanist and plant explorer Mary Gibson Henry (1884-1967) for plants that she collected through remote areas of the West, Midwest, and Southeast United States.
Today the garden contains scenic plantings, gardens, and trails for walking and horseback riding set among steep hills along Rock Creek, near the Schuylkill River. It also contains 15 taxa of native magnolias, in a program established under the auspices of the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC) to help broaden the genetic diversity of organized botanical collections.
Growing and Maintenance Tips
Thrives in sharply drained, sandy to average soil under full sunlight, exceptional heat and drought tolerance.
Characteristics & Attributes
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Season of Interest (Foliage)
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