Stokes' Aster Stokesia laevis 'Blue Danube'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Stokes' Aster:
- Description
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‘Blue Danube’ is a cultivar of the native Stokes' aster, which is in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is a showy, herbaceous perennial that is named for the Danube River because of its lavender-blue-colored flowers. Growing 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and is low maintenance, drought tolerant once established, heat tolerant, and deer and rabbit resistant.
Plant ‘Blue Danube’ in sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is best to remove the flowers when faded to encourage new buds. When the plant has completed blooming, it may be cut back to its basal foliage. In warmer climates, the leaves may be retained throughout the winter months. The plants may need to be divided about every three to four years. Divisions may be done in the spring and fall.
With its fluffy, pale lavender to bluish, cornflower-like blooms, ‘Blue Danube’ can be enjoyed in many different settings, including pollinator, butterfly, cottage, and rain gardens. Use it along a walkway or in borders, small groups, mass plantings, or containers.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Stokesia
- Species:
- laevis
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinator and nectar plant for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought, rabbit
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are small achenes. A mature seed is brown, papery, and about 1/4 inch long.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flower is solitary, somewhat daisy-like, and appears at the top of the stem. The bloom measures 2 to 4 inches across. The flower head is pale lavender to blue in color and has many tubular disk florets which are surrounded by deeply divided, thin petal/rays. A prominent white stigma is present in the center of the flower. Stokes' asters bloom typically from May to September. The flowers have a delicate fragrance.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The plant begins as a basal rosette with straplike leaves. The leaves grow in low mounds and appear leathery. The leaves are dark green, hairy, medium-sized, lanceolate to elliptic in shape, and have an alternate arrangement. They measure 6 inches long, but the basal leaves are larger than the stem leaves. The leaf margins are dentate near the base of the plant.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The hairy stems are 12-18 inches tall, erect and arise from a basal rosette.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pond
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Rabbits
