Stokes' aster
Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue'
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 9
Flowers:
Blue Flowers In Summer
Sun:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Sheltered
Soil:
Acidic, Well-drained
Fruits:
blue Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Stokes' aster should be watered consistently, but with moderation. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. Water when the top 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of soil has dried out completely. This happens about once every 7-10 days in spring and summer or less often in the winter. For the best results, use a soil moisture probe to check the soil moisture level. Avoid splashing or overhead watering, as this can lead to disease and pest infestations.
sunlight
Stokes' aster needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. The best time of day for Stokes' aster to receive sunlight is between 9:00am and 3:00pm. Stokes' aster can also tolerate some partial shade, but may not produce as many flowers.
pruning
Stokes' aster should be pruned in early spring when you see new growth beginning. Prune back the spent flowers and cut back individual stems to a height of 6 to 8 inches to reduce the overall size, if desired. Be careful not to remove more than a third of the plant when pruning. Deadheading may be done at any time during the growing season to encourage reduced leaf density and new flowers.
