Category: native plants

Native Plants for Fall Interest: Blue Star (Amsonia)

On By durhammastergardenersIn native plants, Native plants of NC, plant propagation, Uncategorized

By Astrid Cook-Dail, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

It may still be too hot and humid to think about digging planting holes, but fall is right around the corner! Now is a great time to sit in the cool air conditioning and start planning what new plants you’ll add to your garden in the next few months as the temperatures start cooling off. Hopefully by the end of this post, Blue Star (Amsonia) will be on that list.

A lush green plant with clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers against a natural backdrop.
Close-up view of slender, green, needle-like leaves on a bushy plant.
A dense bush with yellow-green foliage growing near a parking area, surrounded by a backdrop of trees.

Bluestar offers unparalleled landscape interest for three seasons of the year. At left: Spring brings gorgeous blue flower clusters adored by pollinators. Middle: Summer highlights the fine foliage texture and shrub-like structure of the plant. At right: The plant glows gold as the weather cools and we head into fall. (Image credit: Cathy Dewitt; Andrea Laine; Jim Robbins)

The Amsonia genus contains multiple species suitable for NC Piedmont gardens. All feature multi-season interest as well as durability for our unpredictable weather. It is the epitome of a low-maintenance plant while also having a naturally tidy habit and reinvigorating the landscape with its lovely golden color just as summer perennials are winding down for the year. What’s more, pollinators adore the blossoms, deer are unlikely to browse it, and it is extremely simple to propagate!

Botanical Overview

Blue Star is in the dogbane or Apocynaceae family (also home to milkweeds), and like many of the members of this family, it has a milky latex sap. Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) is native to the central and southern US; meanwhile, other species like Amsonia hubrichtii and Amsonia ciliata are native to the central US.

Blue Star is a native herbaceous perennial; it dies back above the soil at frost and regrows from the crown in early spring. Clusters of light blue flowers bloom atop a 2-3′ mound of tidy rounded foliage in April to May. When the flowers die back, they reveal finely textured foliage that stays lush and green despite the heat and humidity of summer. Then, it is ready to steal the show again in late October and November when the weather cools.

Cluster of delicate white and purple flowers with slender green leaves in a natural setting.

Close-up of the flowers on Arkansas Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii). (Image credit: Plant Toolbox [CC BY-SA 3.0])

Cultivation and Care

Blue Star holds an erect, mounded shape in well-drained soils and full sun to part shade conditions. While it prefers fertile soils with organic matter, it tolerates a variety of soils common in central NC. To encourage a tidy form, trim the plant back lightly after spring blooming.

Planting and Propagation

Like many herbaceous perennials, new Blue Star plants are best added to the garden in spring or fall, and watered regularly for the first several weeks until establishment. When trimming the plant back in spring, snip a few softwood stem tips and propagate the plant easily by rooting cuttings in well-drained potting soil.

A Few More Fall-Interest Natives

A lush green plant with many clusters of small purple berries, growing against a wooden fence.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) has a natural arching shape that, along with its striking berries, provide structural interest in the fall garden. (Image credit: Susan Strine)

Additional Reading and Resources:

NC Plant Toolbox to search for additional native plants with fall interest

Native Notes: Climbing Aster

Plant Goldenrod for Outstanding Fall Color

Virginia Creeper: Up or Down It’s the Perfect Vine for Gardens

Native Fall Foliage Color in the Piedmont

Deer-Resistant Native Gardening

University of Florida IFAS CALS on propagating via softwood cuttings

Edited by Astrid Cook-Dail, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

Native Notes: The Marvelous Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

On By durhammastergardenersIn native plant list for Piedmont NC, native plants, Uncategorized

By Laurel Babcock, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

A close-up of vibrant purple passion flowers surrounded by green leaves and a blurred natural background.
Close-up of a purple passionflower with intricate petals and a yellow center against a green background.

There are many fascinating aspects of Passiflora incarnata, from its botanical characteristics, its benefit to wildlife and its applications in natural health. (Image credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region CC BY 2.0; Debbie Roos CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Botanical Overview

Passiflora incarnata is part of the Passifloraceae family, which encompasses about 500 species of passion flowers. It is native to all of the southeast from Delaware and eastern Kansas south to southern Florida and central Texas. In North Carolina, it is readily found in every county but is uncommon in the northern mountains and far eastern counties, such as along the outer banks.

The plant is a vigorous, fast-growing vine that can reach up to 20 feet in length, making it an excellent candidate for ground cover or trellises in gardens. It does have a tendency to spread which might not be an issue for some gardeners, but those who, like me, like a lazy garden may find it creeping into nearby beds.

Hearing this led me to plant it in a large pot on my back deck where it can climb up the railing and onto the string lights. From there I can easily appreciate the remarkable flowers, the grasping tendrils, the pollinators that gather its nectar and the butterflies and moths that use it as a host plant.

Each flower features a unique structure with five petal-like sepals, a corona of filaments arranged in multiple circles, and a central cluster of stamens. The intricate design of the flower, with its vibrant purples, pinks, blues, and whites, not only catches the eye but also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Flowers bloom in summer and smell like honey. Fleshy, egg-shaped, edible fruits called maypops appear in July and mature to a yellowish color in fall. Ripened maypops can be eaten fresh off the vine or made into jelly. Maypop is also a common name for this vine. Maypop refers to the loud popping sound that is made when fruits are stepped on.

Passiflora incarnata is a host plant for the gulf fritillary and variegated fritillary butterflies and the subterranean dart, plebeian sphinx, and Smith’s dart moths.

A close-up of a butterfly with orange and black patterned wings resting on colorful flowers, surrounded by green foliage.
A close-up of a colorful caterpillar with orange and black markings resting on a green leaf.

Fritillaria caterpillars and butterflies are frequent visitors to Passiflora incarnata. (Image credit: Jimmy Smith CC BY-NC-ND4; and Sarah CCBY-SA 4.0)

Medicinal Uses

Passiflora incarnata has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Indigenous peoples of the Americas used various parts of the plant for its calming and sedative effects. The plant’s use in herbal medicine was later adopted by European settlers, who valued it for its purported therapeutic properties.

Passiflora incarnata is perhaps best known for its applications in natural medicine. Its most common use is as a mild sedative and anxiolytic, helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. The plant contains a variety of active compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides, which are thought to contribute to its calming effects.

Culinary Uses

When consuming parts of this plant, especially if you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s a good idea to start with small amounts to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions.

Fruit (Maypop)

The fruit of Passiflora incarnata is the most commonly consumed part. It is green and round when unripe, turning yellow or orange as it ripens. The fruit has a unique flavor, often described as a cross between citrus and pineapple. Inside, it contains a jelly-like pulp with seeds that can be eaten directly or used in juices, smoothies, and desserts.

Leaves

While not commonly eaten raw due to their bitter taste, the leaves of Passiflora incarnata can be used to make herbal teas. They are known for their calming effects and are used in traditional medicine for their potential sedative properties.

A close-up of a green fruit hanging from a branch, surrounded by green leaves.
Close-up of green leaves climbing along a support structure, set against a red background.

The fruit of Passiflora incarnata is often referred to as a maypop. The palmasect leaves are lobed and grow in an alternate pattern. (Image credit: John Brandauer CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; Dinesh Valke CC BY-SA-4.0)

Flowers

The flowers of the passion flower are edible and can be used as a garnish or in salads. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and are often used decoratively due to their striking appearance.

Seeds

The seeds inside the fruit are edible. They have a crunchy texture and can be eaten along with the pulp or used in various recipes.

Cultivation and Care

Cultivating Passiflora incarnata can be a rewarding experience for gardeners. The plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, making it suitable for many temperate climates.

Planting

Passion flowers can be grown from seeds or cuttings. They prefer a warm, sunny location but can tolerate some shade. The plant benefits from a trellis or support structure to climb and spread.

Care

Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. However, it is important to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

Pests and Diseases

Passion flowers are relatively pest-resistant but may occasionally suffer from issues like aphids or spider mites. Diseases such as powdery mildew can also affect the plant, so ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent these problems.

Passiflora incarnata is more than just a visually stunning plant. Its rich history, symbolic significance, and potential health benefits make it a noteworthy addition to both gardens and herbal medicine cabinets. Whether you’re drawn to its beauty, intrigued by its medicinal properties, or simply looking for an interesting plant to grow, the passionflower is sure to captivate and inspire. Its unique blend of aesthetic appeal and practical uses ensures that it remains a beloved and intriguing species in the botanical world.

Additional Resource

Passiflora incarnata (Apricot Vine, Maypop, Passionflower, Passion Flower, Passion Vine) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Missouri Botanical Garden: Passiflora Incarnata

Shortlink: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-6X3

Editor: Martha Keehner Engelke