Stokesia laevis

Stoke’s aster is a genus of just this one species. I fell in love with this charming perennial the first time I laid my eyes on it when I first saw it at Plantarium exhibition in Boskoop, the Netherlands, where it was presented as a little known, showy perennial.

Stoke’s aster makes large, soft lavender blue, cornflower-like flowers that are up to 10 cm across. They open in late July and if regularly deadheaded they continue popping up until autumn. The flowers take a few days before they mature completely to the flat shape but on the other hand they are quite long-lasting which is why they are very popular for cutting. The leaves are evergreen in milder climates, medium green, narrowly lance-shaped, long at the basal rosette, and quite short along the stems.

Stoke’s aster comes from S.E. USA where it grows naturally on the edges of conifer woods, in moist, acid soil. It is hardy enough to be grown in Europe, too, down to zone 5b provided the soil is sharply-drained in order to avoid winter root rot. Grow it in full sun for profusion of flowers and make sure the soil is acid which will enhance the flower colour. Hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 20-07-2013