Stokes’ Aster
Stokesia laevis. ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE).
Planting and Growing Stokes’ Aster
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow Stokes’ aster in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of Stokes’ aster
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for Stokes’ aster
- Season of bloom and planting time for Stokes’ aster
- When, how deep, and where to plant Stokes’ aster
- How to plant Stokes’ aster
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of Stokes’ aster
- Landscape and container uses of Stokes’ aster
- Comments about Stokes’ aster and its features
Growing Stokes’ Aster
Several cultivars of erect, branching, deciduous perennial herbs, 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) tall. Smooth, deep green, lance-shaped, pointed, often finely toothed leaves, 2–8 in. (50–200 mm) long, forming a circular, radiating base.
Stokes’ aster is a North American native species, ranging through the southern United States along the south Atlantic and Eastern Gulf states. It prefers wetlands, open fields, and river flood plains with rich organic soils and moist conditions.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Showy, blue, lavender, pink, white, irregular, fringed, hairy-centered flowers, 2–5 in. (50–125 mm) wide, in early summer–mid-autumn.
Best Climates
Hardy. Zones 5–10. Best in hot-summer climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average. 5.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Early spring in full sun, 12–15 in. (30–38 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep damp; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Drought, heat tolerant. Fertilize annually in spring. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom. Propagate by cuttings, division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, borders, containers, edgings in arid, cottage, formal, meadow gardens. Good for cutting. Pest and disease resistant.