The decorations and furniture on your patio often change with the seasons. Why shouldn't your patio plants do the same? A plant that provides year-round color between its leaves and flowers is the patio hack you didn't know you needed. There is a plant native to the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas that begins its blooming season in the spring with bright blue, star-shaped flowers and only gets better from there. As summer approaches, the fine, airy foliage of this pretty Amsonia species takes center stage, adding a soft texture to patio edges and containers. However, the grand finale comes in the fall when the entire plant turns a brilliant golden yellow that rivals any tree in fall color. The plant is the squill (Amsonia hubrichtii).
This herbaceous perennial, sometimes called thread-leaved squill or crested squill, thrives in zones 5 to 8. It is popular with allotment gardeners for its aforementioned seasonal blooms; its deer resistance, which is ideal for homeowners who do not fence their ground floor patio; and the fact that it is rarely attacked by pests or diseases. Its versatility means it fits beautifully in patio edges or in containers on patios and balconies. Whether planted as a thriller or filler in a large pot or as a backdrop to other, heartier perennials in a raised bed on the patio, the stringy blue star adds structure, color and elegance to any outdoor living space.
How to Grow and Care for Blue Star
The key to growing a healthy crested squill on a patio, balcony or other outdoor living space is giving it the right combination of sunlight and room to expand. It grows best in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade. To ensure vigorous growth and a beautiful fall landscape perfect for shady or sunny patios, plant Blue Star in a location that receives at least two hours of direct sunlight daily. It prefers a well-drained planter or garden bed and thrives in soil that is average to poor once established. Use a mixture of garden soil, coarse sand and compost.
Water once a week during the first growing season to help your threadleaf squill establish a strong root system. Once established, this plant is somewhat drought tolerant, preferring dry soil to moist. If you are growing it in containers, which will likely be the case when gardening on the patio, porch or balcony, you may need to water more frequently. The soil in pots dries out more quickly than in earth gardens. For Blue Star, deforestation in the garden is not a must. You can leave the flower stalks in the fall and winter to add seasonal interest. Cut the plant back to the ground in late winter or spring before it begins to grow again. After flowering in late spring, cut back the stems to achieve a more compact shape.