Clouds of Gold at Lurie Garden
This is Bluestar’s big moment at the Lurie Garden, particularly Arkansas Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii). The big billowing plant with needle-like leaves has turned from green to gold. When I took these pictures yesterday, they were scattered around the garden like golden clouds come to earth.
Lurie Garden is famous for the River of Salvia, an enormous swath of blue flowers in late spring and early summer. I wonder if it would be possible to make a River of Gold in late fall utilizing the Amsonia. As it is, the Bluestar is dispersed around the garden. I would argue that it is Lurie’s signature plant for this time of year.
Bluestar takes its name from the tiny star-shaped flowers it sports in spring. It’s the fall color, however, that could be its outstanding feature. Here’s a view that combines the Bluestar with the bright red trees standing behind the green hedges, with the skyscrapers of the Loop in the background.
I can’t resist posting another picture of this view.
Here’s more of a ground level view.
Here’s another closer look at the Bluestar, with (I’m guessing) a compact Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) in the foreground.
I don’t mean to ignore the grasses, like the Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) above. They are sporting brighter and deeper colors,
Here’s the same Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’) I showed in my last post about the Lurie Garden. The seed heads have thinned a bit, and the plant as a whole has turned golden.
There’s lots of Prairie Dropseed (Sporobulus heterolepis ‘Tara’) at Lurie. It’s a wonderful grass, both for texture and color.
And look at this Little Bluestem! Incredible color! Also, these pictures make it plain how important it was to surround this garden with that dark green hedge. It makes all kinds of things stand out so much better.
Even now in early November, Lurie Garden is still a place that can take your breath away.
gardeninacity 
Gorgeous! I so wish mine turned that intense golden yellow…so fab!
Mine doesn’t either … maybe the key is lots of sunshine.
Disappointing the number of cultivars in the Lurie Garden.
I think that carefully selecting cultivars has been very important to the success of the garden, especially in terms of habit. And Douglas Tallamy has spoken positively of native plant cultivars as a way to increase the use of native plants in public and private spaces.
What a comforting place. I just love all that fall foliage, especially in a sunny spot all sheltered from the wind and ready to enjoy.
I can’t imagine my bluestar getting that big… might have to pull out the trimmers some day.
I might have to do the same, but my bluestars have a long way to go before they get that big.
Is this before or after the parade? I need to visit at this time of year.
Before the parade! But I walked there again today and it seems no damage was done.
Hmmm, I’ve been really appreciating my little patch of Ansonia but you’ve got me thinking about where else I could plant a bit, or five….yay!
This garden certainly is an advertisement for massing the Amsonia!
My patch of Amsonia never looks like this! What a wonderful garden to enjoy in the middle of a city, it looks a lovely place to be.
Neither does mine. Maybe with the passage of years, though … this is normally a long-lived plant.
I love your first photo, is wonderful Jason.
Thank you, Nadezda!
It would be nice to have enough room to make a big cloud of blue star amsonia. I have one of them and it makes a lovely show in a boring border. Hmmmmm maybe a couple more of them would be better.
More plants is almost always better!
Your city is an inspiration for other cities that want to create great public spaces
It’s nice that we do some things well.
Clouds of gold is right. So very beautiful, as is the other foliage.
It was an inspiring sight.
How beautiful! Love the colors Jesus gives us in the autumn. Blessings!
You have a great eye! I have only been peripherally aware of amsonia, and only because of its small spring flowers which I love. But you are right, it is quite impressive this time of year and a river of gold would be spectacular. Oh, for more yard!!
I sometimes think of asking my neighbors if they would let me expand my garden into their yard, but I’ve restrained myself.
Oh my gosh, me too! Hahaha!
Last fall, a little earlier than this, Midwest Groundcovers featured Amsonia hubrichii with Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), an eye-catching fall combination.
That does sound like a great combination!
An amazing sight!
I thought so, too!
The bluestar is an interesting plant. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.
It’s very useful in the garden around here. A. hubrichtii loves sun and tolerates dry soil. A. tabernaemontana tolerates shade and isn’t fussy about soil.
Wow! Remarkable fall color.Your photos of Lurie garden remind me of Railroad Garden in Birmingham, a few blocks from UAB where I worked before retirement. The setting is very urban, and grasses are featured, along with native flowers.
Haven’t heard of Railroad Garden. If I ever get to Birmingham, I’ll have to check it out.
I never get tired of photos of the Lurie garden. I love the photo showing all the grasses, hedges, trees against the skyline. What very good fortune to have this garden in such a big city..
The Amsonia does look like a golden cloud fallen to earth!
Same here, I can never get tired of the contrast between the skyscrapers and the abundance and vitality of the plants.
Such a beautiful golden color!Thanks for posting your photos of it. Some day I’ll get to the Lurie Garden.
I hope you do get to see it! Let us know if you’re coming to town.
Lovely. Thanks for shraing!
I mean ‘sharing’ of course!
You’re welcome!
Gorgeous! I see Amsonia a lot in garden magazines, and always think about putting it in my garden. I’m not sure I have the room, but it is such a gorgeous plant especially this time of year!
Both species will get pretty big over the years.
Lovely. Bought Amsonia last year but it didn’t make it–must try again. Coincidentally just heard Th. Ranier speak today in Chapel Hill at NC Botanical Garden. He is co-author of Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes and guess what he showed? Amsonia in flowering in spring at Lurie Garden and another slide showing its golden color in autumn.
Amsonia is a happening plant!
Gorgeous! I just have one Amsonia H., but it sure stands out in my garden every fall. Love that gold color!
Impossible not to love it.
in awe
Thanks!