Re: Amsonia hubrichtii and illustris

I'd agree that the Amsonias are generally from streamside habitats, and the most-often grown species, A.tabernaemontana, from se US is probably ill-adapted to California. [It does very well in border planting in the Pacific Northwest, provided the soil is well drained, and irrigated.] There are a number of species from the central plains of the US through the intermountain west that would be very tolerant of low-humidity summers, and deep-rooted, so should be appropriate to moderate-water zones in northern California.  I would guess that they'd do less well in frost-free or near frost-free areas of southern California.  If you have success with Liatris, I'd try Amsonia illustris or A. hubrechtii [the species mentioned above], and certainly A.jonesii, available as seed or plants from some Colorado nurseries.

loren russell
corvallis, oregon, usa
> Trevorshighclass@aol.com wrote:
>  > These species seem to have a wide distribution but do not see either
>  >  listed in Californian nurseries.  Can anyone comment on their
>  > tolerance to a hot dry summer?
>  >
> HI Karen
> Was just tidying my correspondence file and found this. As I don't
> remember seeing any replies, I though I might attempt one.
> 
> I can't find anything about these actual species, but a general account 
> of Amsonia suggest it is a genus only for moist soils which do not dry 
> out in summer, so I guess prbably not worth you trying.
> 
> Moira
> 
> -- 
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