Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia

This lovely Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia) performs over the long haul, from its icy blue spring flowers to the tidy summertime mounds of green, willow-like leaves that turn radiantly yellow in autumn.

Though its natural preference is for moist soils, it performs equally well on dry ones, in light shade or full sun. Best of all, this long-lived plant's acrid, milky sap makes it virtually deer-proof.