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Amsonia Blue Ice
Amsonia x Blue Ice
Amsonia Blue Ice offers compact form, vivid blue star-shaped blooms in late spring, and stunning golden fall foliage, making it a standout three-season perennial. Ideal for native plant gardens, borders, and mass plantings, it attracts pollinators while providing excellent drought tolerance and low-maintenance beauty.
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Amsonia Blue Ice Plants
Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ is a compact, clump-forming perennial prized for its vibrant, star-shaped blue flowers and multi-season appeal. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this drought-tolerant native cultivar produces dense clusters of rich periwinkle-blue blooms that rise above tidy mounds of dark green, lance-shaped foliage. More compact than other amsonia varieties, Blue Ice typically grows 12–18 inches tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for smaller garden spaces, front-of-border plantings, or container displays.
One of the standout features of Amsonia Blue Ice is its impressive three-season interest. After the spring bloom, the lush green foliage provides a neat, textural backdrop throughout summer and turns a brilliant golden yellow in fall, offering late-season color and contrast. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates a variety of soil conditions, including dry or rocky soils once established. It's also deer-resistant, low-maintenance, and pollinator-friendly, attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects to the garden.
Perfect for native plant gardens, rock gardens, and perennial borders, Amsonia ‘Blue Ice’ brings long-lasting beauty and ecological value to any landscape. Its compact habit makes it ideal for massing along pathways, combining with spring bulbs, or pairing with other drought-tolerant companions like sedum, salvia, or ornamental grasses. Whether you’re designing a sustainable garden or looking for a resilient, low-care perennial, Amsonia Blue Ice is a top-performing plant that offers dependable color, structure, and pollinator support year after year.
| Hardiness Zone: | 4-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | Up to 18 Inches |
| Mature Width: | 1 to 2 feet |
| Classification: | Flowering Perennial |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Habit: | Compact, Upright, clump forming |
| Flower Color: | Lavender Blue |
| Flowering Season: | Late spring through Early Summer |
| Foliage: | Green with golden yellow fall color |
| Soil Condition: | Prefers dry, average to sandy soil, wont tolerate wet soil in winter |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting. Attracts pollinators and hummingbirds. |
How to Care for Amsonia Blue Ice
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure healthy and happy Amsonia Blue Ice Plants for years to come!
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How Do I Plant Amsonia Blue Ice Plants?
To plant Amsonia Blue Ice, choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. This compact, clump-forming perennial thrives in average garden soil and benefits from the addition of compost to improve texture and fertility. Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball, gently loosen the roots, and place the plant so the crown is level with the surrounding soil. Space multiple plants 12–18 inches apart to allow for mature growth and airflow. Backfill with soil, press firmly to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly to help establish strong roots. Amsonia Blue Ice performs well in both formal and naturalistic landscapes, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, native plantings, borders, and foundation beds. To encourage long-term success, mulch around the base with organic material to retain moisture and suppress weeds, especially during the first growing season. Though adaptable, avoid soggy conditions to prevent root rot. With proper planting and a little early care, Amsonia Blue Ice will provide stunning spring blooms, lush summer foliage, and brilliant golden color in the fall.
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How Do I Water Amsonia Blue Ice Plants?
Watering Amsonia Blue Ice correctly is essential for healthy establishment and vibrant seasonal performance. During the first growing season, water regularly to maintain consistently moist soil—typically once or twice per week depending on weather conditions. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent waterlogging, as overly wet conditions can cause root rot. A deep, thorough watering encourages strong root development, especially in hot or dry spells. Applying a 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering. Once established, Amsonia Blue Ice becomes drought tolerant and typically only needs supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods. It’s important to monitor the soil in summer heat, especially in full sun settings, to prevent excessive drying. Water at the base of the plant early in the morning to reduce evaporation and minimize the risk of fungal disease. With its low-maintenance watering needs and adaptable nature, Amsonia Blue Ice is a great choice for sustainable landscapes, native gardens, and mixed perennial borders.
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How Do I Fertilize Amsonia Blue Ice Plants?
Fertilizing Amsonia Blue Ice is simple and helps promote lush growth and vibrant blooms. In early spring, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formula, to support strong foliage development and flowering. Scatter the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, avoiding direct contact with the stems, and water it in thoroughly. For gardeners who prefer organic methods, incorporating compost or well-aged manure into the soil each spring can provide sufficient nutrients while improving soil structure and microbial activity. Amsonia Blue Ice is not a heavy feeder, so avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to weak, leggy growth or fewer flowers. A single feeding in early spring is typically all that's needed for the season, especially if the plant is growing in moderately fertile soil. If growth appears sluggish or flowering is sparse, a mid-season application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer may be beneficial. With the right fertilization routine, Amsonia Blue Ice will thrive in perennial borders, pollinator gardens, and native plant landscapes, providing attractive foliage and starry blue blooms year after year.
How and When Should I Cut Back My Amsonia Blue Ice Plants?
Cutting back Amsonia Blue Ice is an important part of maintaining its tidy appearance and encouraging healthy growth. After the plant has finished blooming in late spring to early summer, you can trim back the foliage by one-third to encourage a fuller, bushier shape. This mid-season cutback helps prevent flopping and promotes a more compact growth habit throughout the summer. Use clean, sharp pruners to make clean cuts just above a leaf node, and water the plant afterward to reduce stress. In late fall or early winter, once the golden-yellow fall foliage has faded and the plant enters dormancy, cut Amsonia Blue Ice down to a few inches above the soil line. This seasonal cleanup helps prevent disease, removes dead plant material, and prepares the perennial bed for spring growth. If desired, you can delay the final cutback until early spring to provide winter interest and habitat for beneficial insects. Regular pruning and seasonal maintenance will keep Amsonia Blue Ice looking its best and thriving year after year in native gardens, borders, and pollinator-friendly landscapes.
