Amsonia
(in honour of Charles Amson, a scientific traveller in America). ORD. Apocynaceae. Very pretty hardy, herbaceous perennials, with alternate leaves, and terminal panicles of pale blue flowers; corolla with linear lobes, and a narrow funnel-shaped tube. They thrive in half shady positions in borders, or the edges of shrubberies, where they will not need to be frequently transplanted. Propagated by cuttings during the summer months, or by divisions of the roots in spring.
A. latifolia. (broad-leaved). Synonymous with A. Tabernaemontana.
A. salicifolia. (willow-leaved).* fl. light blue, in terminal corymbose cymes; corolla small, funnel-shaped, with a rounded tube; throat whitish, bearded. Summer. l. lanceolate, smooth, acute. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2 1/2ft. North America, 1812. Habit less erect than the following species.
A. Tabernaemontana (Tabernaemontana-like).* fl. pale blue, in cymes; petals lanceolate, acute, slightly hairy on the outside; sepals also lanceolate, acute. Summer. l. ovate-lanceolate, acute, shortly stalked. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2 1/2ft. North America, 1759. SYNS. A. latifolia, Tabernaemontana Amsonia.