Photo doesn't do the combination justice in both form and color

Yeah I had the same problem with my multi-plant photo. So much more color than is expressed in the picture.
I'm so jealous of your blue star. I grew some from seed but they aren't doing much, maybe they need more sun.
Lovely combination you've got there.

Yes.the seed takes 50+ days to germinate and hit and miss better to buy the plant potted. This is a wonderful easy shrub. Very reliable and beautiful especially in fall. But if you try to plant the seedling in anything but full sun..it will flop and be scraggily. If a store bought small BS is planted in less than full sun..it will be fine. I can send you seeds come the fall if you want to try again ..but I will need a reminder. I have the wider shinier dark green amsonia and that will pop up everywhere. Beautiful spring time but the fall color and summer performance is unremarkable.

See..no matter what I do..the deeper blue of the bloom looks pale

This is the best I can do