Amsonia ciliata

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Slimpod, Fringed Bluestar, Blue Dogbane

Apocynaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:Flower
Size:2-3 ft tall by 2-3 ft wide
Life Span:Short-lived perennial
Flower Color:White,blue
Fruit Color:Brown
Noted for:Fall color, Showy flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Wildflower garden. Blooms late spring. Fall foliage color is orange-yellow.
Propagation:Grow from seed or division. Prune to 10 inches after flowering.
Availability:Seed
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Not wet but not extremely dry ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Not wet but not extremely dry ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or other substrate:Sand
Soil pH:

Ecology

Wildlife:
 

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar. 

Avoided by mammalian herbivores.

Insects:
  

The flowers attract long-tongued insects such as carpenter bees, hummingbird moths, and butterflies.  Not known to be a larval plant for monarch butterflies.

Native Habitats:Flatwoods, chalky hills.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
8B 9A 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

General Comments:The blue tubular flower opens into 5 petal-like lobes with a white center. Several blossoms grow in a loose cluster. Narrow seed pods and dark yellow fall color make this an attractive garden plant.