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Stoke's Aster Stokesia laevis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
sto-KEES-ee-ah LIE-viss
Description

Stoke’s aster is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family and native to the southeastern United States. A number of cultivars are available, such as 'Blue Danube' with flowers 5 inches in diameter and 'Alba' and 'Silver Moon' with white flowers. 

Stoke’s aster grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist soil with good drainage. It will tolerate occasionally wet soil and is resistant to drought, deer, and rabbits. It will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and up to 18 inches wide.

This plant was very popular in old gardens. The showy deep violet or lavender-blue flowers appear in early summer. Its leaves persist through the winter, in dark green, attractive rosettes. 

Plant this aster as a border or mass planting in a native, pollinator, butterfly, cottage, or winter garden. Its tolerance of moisture also makes it appropriate for a pond margins or upper riparian areas.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

 

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Mostly Native Vegetable, Herb and Pollinator Garden Part Shade Garden, Durham County Pollinator Garden at the Cabarrus County Extension Office HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade West Side Foundation Planting in Cabarrus County Daylilies Galore, Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Alba', 'Blue Danube', 'Bluestone', 'Color Wheel', ‘Divinity’, 'Mary Gregory', 'Peachies Pick', 'Purple Upright', 'Rosea', 'Silver Moon'
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#nectar plant#blue flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#riparian#rabbit resistant#pond margins#ncemgva2018#silver#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#silver flowers#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#partial shade tolerant#HS302#bee friendly#perennial#herb garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Alba', 'Blue Danube', 'Bluestone', 'Color Wheel', ‘Divinity’, 'Mary Gregory', 'Peachies Pick', 'Purple Upright', 'Rosea', 'Silver Moon'
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#nectar plant#blue flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#riparian#rabbit resistant#pond margins#ncemgva2018#silver#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#silver flowers#wet soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#partial shade tolerant#HS302#bee friendly#perennial#herb garden#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Stokesia
    Species:
    laevis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies and bumblebees are attracted by nectar at the blooms in the summer.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderate deer resistance; rabbit resistant and drought tolerant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Deep violet or lavender-blue flowers appear in early to mid-summer, May to June. Remove spent flowers to prolong the bloom season.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Basal rosette of lanceolate 6" long leaves. Stem leaves have no petiole and are smaller than basal leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil