Amsonia hubrichtii, PPA of the Year 2011.

This photo, taken Oct 20th, shows the fall color of golden-yellow.

Common name: Arkansas blue star, a southern native.

Whispy, fine texture.  Light blue, star-shaped flowers in spring.  Mound habit, 3′ height.  Full sun to partial shade.  Low-maintenance.

Great in containers as a tall, billowing feature, combines well with many plants.  Plant in spring and enjoy it all the way until October.  Tip:  Use a container with brown natural tones and this golden color will pop above it with your yellow or orange mums.  Transplant the perennial to your gardens before frost.  All good, 3 seasons of interest, and useful throughout.

http://www.perennialplant.org/documents/poy2011.pdf for complete details by the Perennial Plant Association.

New Amsonia on the scene this year:  Amsonia ciliata ‘Spring Skies’ (Spring Sky Bluestar); discovered at the Henry Foundation in Philadelphia, PA.  Longer-lasting flowers, more compact habit, and some bronze to the golden foliage in fall.

http://www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org/gardens/henry/henry-found.htm