Amsonia hubrichtii, the threadleaf bluestar, grows along most of the High Line and has become one of the key plants in the park for good reason. One of High Line planting designer Piet Oudolf’s criteria for choosing plants for his designs is that they have interesting shape and form throughout the seasons, and this amsonia is truly beautiful throughout its lifecycle. The first grassy green stems that emerge in spring grow into finely textured mounds of feathery foliage, and in May the stems are topped with dozens of clusters of silvery-blue star-shaped flowers. In summer the plants grow to three feet tall and three feet wide, and while the seed heads are not persistent, the foliage turns to a stunning bright gold in autumn. When threadleaf bluestar goes dormant, its stems remain fairly upright, so its “skeleton” holds a structural presence among the grasses in the High Line’s winter landscape.

Amsonia hubrichtii was described and named for the first time in 1942, when self-taught naturalist Leslie Hubricht found it growing wild in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas. Hubricht, who completed only one semester of high school, was a world authority on terrestrial mollusks of eastern North America. He discovered 81 kinds of snails as well as three plant species – all three of which are named for him. Among them, threadleaf bluestar is certainly the best addition to native and naturalistic gardens for its grace, hardiness, and persistent beauty.

WHERE TO FIND THIS PLANT
Amsonia hubrichtii can be found on the High Line between Gansevoort and West 15th Streets, between 18th and 20th Streets and 28th and 30th Streets.

The High Line’s planting design is inspired by the self-seeded landscape that grew up between rail tracks after the trains stopped running in the 1980s. Today, the High Line includes more than 500 species of perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees – each chosen for their hardiness, adaptability, diversity, and seasonal variation in color and texture. Some of the species that originally grew on the High Line’s rail bed are reflected in the park landscape today. Every week we share one of our gardeners’ current favorites with you.

Our horticultural team counts on members and friends like you to help keep the High Line beautiful and thriving. Join our community of supporters who play an essential role in the High Line’s most important gardening projects.

TD Bank is the Presenting Green Sponsor of the High Line.