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Key characteristics

Family: Apocynaceae
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Width: 2 to 3 feet
Flower color: Pale blue
Foliage color: Silvery-green
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; occasional deadheading may be needed
Growing zone: USDA Zones 5–9
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies

Perennials

Amsonia ciliata 'Halfway to Arkansas'

Halfway to Arkansas Fringed Bluestar

Amsonia ciliata 'Halfway to Arkansas' is a compact perennial known for its airy, star-shaped, periwinkle-blue flowers that appear in terminal clusters during late spring to early summer. Its name suggests a diminutive form, and while it is more compact than the species, its leaves are slightly broader but shorter. This cultivar exhibits a graceful arching growth habit that makes it particularly appealing in sunny settings.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cottage Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes

Design tip

The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)