Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

Eastern Bluestar emerges early in the spring, sending out vibrant, lime green leaves that darken as the season progresses. In April, rich blue flower buds begin to form at the stem tips, making a grand show as each tiny bloom bursts open to reveal porcelain blue petals. The tiny, starry blossoms are often massed together and can appear as a much larger flower. As these fade, the seedpods elongate and point straight up, becoming upright accents in this strongly mounded plant. The narrow leaves turn a striking yellow in the fall.