Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Amsonia tabernaemontana, commonly called bluestar, is a Missouri native herbaceous perennial which occurs most frequently in rich, open woods and thickets in the southwestern part of the State. An erect, clump-forming plant which features terminal, pyramidal clusters of 3/4", soft light blue, star-like flowers in late spring atop erect, leafy stems growing 2-3' tall. Narrow, willow-shaped, dull green foliage may turn an attractive yellow in fall.
‘Storm Cloud’ features near black stems in spring clad with silver-veined dark green leaves. Leaves lighten to olive green by summer. Light periwinkle-blue, star-shaped flowers bloom abundantly from late spring to early summer, often with some rebloom thereafter. Plants typically grow to 24-30" tall spreading to as much as 42" wide.