Amsonia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Amsonia (lat. Amsonia) - a small genus of herbaceous plants of the Kutrovye family (Latin Apocynaceae). A distinctive feature of the plants is the star-shaped flowers, due to which the culture was nicknamed the Blue Star in the United States. In Russia, at garden markets, Amsonia is most often offered under this name.

Characteristics of culture

Amsonia is represented by perennial herbaceous plants of low height, crowned with numerous straight stems, on which there are narrow bright green foliage and corymbose inflorescences consisting of elegant five-petalled blue flowers (depending on the type of different shades - from cold to warm). The inflorescences of the culture are formed quite dense, as a rule, they can be captured at the end of May, less often at the beginning of June, although this aspect largely depends on the growing conditions and weather factors. The fruits of amsonia are actively and annually formed. They contain long, cylindrical seeds up to 10 cm long.

Amsonia is considered to be a long-lived plant; outwardly, they are slightly similar to phlox, popular among gardeners and florists. They do not have a large number of requirements for active growth and development, they can be called unpretentious. They grow well in shady areas with diffused light, but in the sun the plants form denser bushes. Amsonia has a high decorativeness, even in autumn they decorate the garden with golden foliage.

Another feature of the culture under consideration is that plants do not creep with active growth, because they are not aggressive, and are not able to suppress other flower crops, so they can be safely used to create group compositions. After flowering, amsonia creates a kind of backdrop for other more vibrant and attractive crops. But this cannot be said about the type - Habricht's amsonia, it is distinguished by its long decorative effect.

Types used in horticulture

Amsonia Habrichta (lat. Amsonia hubrichtii) - a native of the southern states of the United States of America, named after its discoverer. It is a perennial that forms erect stems, which are crowned with threadlike pubescent bright green foliage and grayish-blue flowers. It thrives on soils with optimal moisture and drainage. Accepts both semi-shady location and open solar. The bushes form quite sprawling, respectively, as it grows, it needs pruning, otherwise the plant will fall apart in different directions. Amsonia Habrichta is used to form group plantings.

Amsonia tabermontana (lat. Amsonia tabernaemontana) - perennial, whose homeland is the United States. It is characterized by green leaves with a grayish tint and delicate blue flowers. This species is actively used by breeders to create new forms and varieties. For example var. salicifolia boasts blue flowers and a white neck. The species is unpretentious and winter-hardy, like most representatives of the genus, it accepts loamy, clayey and sandy soils. The bushes in the process of growth, the culture forms compact, respectively, they do not need a garter, and you can completely abandon pruning. Today amsonia tabermontana is used to decorate border plantings and rustic gardens.

Also, among the species used by Russian flower growers and gardeners in their gardens, they are popular

amsonia ciliate, amsonia oriental and amsonia Louis … All species are propagated both by seeds and vegetatively. Seeds require preliminary cold stratification, the duration of which should be at least 8 weeks. Also, sowing can be carried out without stratification - before winter. Vegetative reproduction involves dividing the bush. The culture does not need special care; it requires standard procedures - watering, weeding, garter and pruning. Shelter for the winter - if necessary, for example, when waiting for a harsh and little snowy winter.