Amsonia Ablaze

If you stop by the garden this week, you will have a prime opportunity to see Amsonia hubrichtii in its most colorful splendor. This plant is native to the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas, from which its common name is derived: Arkansas blue star.

In spring, pale blue star-shaped flowers fill terminal clusters on the stems of this 3-foot-tall plant. The flowers are small and are often overlooked by many passersby. Throughout the summer, its needle-like foliage adds a feathery green border along the garden edges of the Light Plate.

By September, the plant bursts into a remarkable chrome yellow, that in daylight, make it look as though an inner light is emanating from it. Even in twilight, Amsonia hubrichtii are the headlights of the Light Plate, shining brightly as the sun sets.

You can view this plant's brilliance from the observation deck of the Art Institute's Modern Wing. For a closer look, stand on the upper path in the Dark Plate, which looks over the Seam to the Light Plate. For a close examination, walk to the northwest corner of the Light Plate to notice the contrast of the deep green Shoulder Hedge to the bright gold Amsonia hubrichtii.