Stokesia laevis 'Bluestone'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- STOK-see-ah LAY-viss
- Description
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‘Bluestone’ is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family and a cultivar of the native Stokes' aster. This plant is actually dwarf in comparison to the other cultivars in the species, only getting to a maximum of 10-12 inches tall. It flowers in hues of bluish-purple in the middle of summer and carries a delicate fragrance and nectar attracting bees, butterflies, and birds.
Plant ‘Bluestone’ in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil with a neutral to acidic pH. It grows well in moist, occasionally wet soil but is also drought tolerant. It can be propagated by seed or dividing the root ball, but it will not self-seed in the yard.
Because ‘Bluestone’ can grow well in moist soil, it makes a good choice for planting near a water garden, pond, or riparian setting. It also adds long-blooming color to a cottage, butterfly, or pollinator garden. Plant it in small groups or in a mass planting in the front of a border.
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
- Seed
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies, bees, and birds
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought tolerant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 5 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 3 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Tiny cornflower blue to violet notched ray flowers clustered in a flower head 2"-4" across with feathery disk florets in the center. Blooms in the middle of summer through fall if you deadhead the flowers before they set seed.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Basal rosette of lanceolate to elliptic 6" long leaves. Stem leaves have no petiole and are smaller than basal leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect, leafy stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
