There is nothing better than when May arrives and the local Native Plant Sales commence. I’m like a kid on Christmas morning giddy with anticipation of what I’ll come home with. There is some planning involved before shopping, but for the most part, I grab on a whim and then learn about what I’ve got when I get home. 

By the end of May, the light blue, star shaped blooms are in full effect:

While I’ve read that the flowers of Amsonia tabernaemontana attract the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, I’ve never witnessed it. What I have witnessed, are various moths enjoying the sweet nectar of the flowers:

But truth be told, I love these shrub-sized perennials not for their flowers, but for their billowy texture and ability to contrast well with other shrubs/perennials. This is how they looked after I had cut them down post-bloom to about 12 inches:

And if the “Gods of Autumn” are listening, I’m banking on big time fall color this year as that may be its true claim to fame. This is as good as it got for me last year:

If things go according to plan, there will be some serious bright golden/orange puffs throughout the yard in the fall and I will be sure to share those photos with you all.

Before I go, some additional info on Amsonia tabernaemontana:

• Matures in size at about 3 feet by 3 feet
• Survives in zones 3-9 (a bit more hardy than the more popular Amsonia hubrichtii)
• Prefers full sun to partial shade and may flop if in too much shade
• As mentioned previously, it is a US native, typically found along streams and in moist woods
• While I’ve yet to attempt it, I’ve read these can be tough to divide 
• They have been deer resistant to date, apparently due to a sticky substance on their leaves