Plant of the Week is back! It's been a bit of a hiatus, but I'm glad to be back sharing what plants I'm seeing that are noteworthy, growing in gardens across the state.

This week I'm featuring Amsonia hubrichtii, Blue Star. I was reminded of this perennial on a recent trip to the US Botanic Garden in Washington D.C. where it was growing beautifully in a mixed perennial border. It's blue spring flowers are the obvious great feature of this perennial. Blue flowers are difficult to come by in the garden, and this one does not disappoint. Add in feathery green summer foliage and golden fall color, and you've got a winner!

Missouri Botanic Garden states that this herbaceous perennial can be grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best fall foliage color usually occurs in full sun, but flowers generally last longer if given some afternoon shade in hot sun areas. Stems tend to open up and flop in too much shade, however. Consider cutting back the stems by about 6" after flowering to help keep stems upright and to shape plants into a nice foliage mound.

In my previous garden, I had Bluestar tucked into a perennial border that received part sun and it performed well. I'm excited to get some planted in my new garden beds this season!