Species Stokes' aster
white flowers with cream center, green leaves and stems

Stokes' aster

Stokesia laevis 'Divinity'

Stokes' aster is an attractive perennial, native to the southeastern United States. It produces showy clusters of purple-blue and white daisy-like flowers atop dark green lance-shaped foliage. The blooms appear in spring and last until the fall. Growing up to 18 inches tall, and wide, Stokes' aster is an attractive specimen for the border or rock garden. It is drought tolerant and thrives in full sun, and requires little care once established. Plant in masses for a stunning display in the garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Blue Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Sheltered

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Fruits:

blue,purple Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Stokes' aster should be watered regularly to ensure lush growth and lots of blooms. During the growing season, it should be watered around once per week, depending on the weather conditions. In hot, dry weather, water more often, every few days. In the winter months when the plant is dormant, water it much less, every 2 or 3 weeks. Make sure you check the soil before watering, as overwatering can cause root damage. Soil should be kept moist, not soggy. During particularly hot weather, the plant may benefit from a bit of extra shade and an occasional misting of water over its foliage.

sunlight

Stokes' aster (Stokesia laevis 'Divinity') is a flowering plant that should be grown in full sun to partial shade, with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. It prefers a loamy and well-draining soil and blooms best with consistent moisture. Plant in an area that will get direct sunlight for the greater part of the day, or supplement with artificial lighting if necessary. Stokes' aster is a heat tolerant plant and can thrive in hot summer temperatures, but partial shade is recommended in very hot areas.

pruning

Stokes' aster should be pruned twice a year. In the spring, pruning can occur after the last frost when growth begins again. Prune to the desired shape and remove any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage. During summer, prune the plant again if it has become unruly or overgrown, as well as removing any additional dead, damaged, or diseased foliage. Prune to retain the desired size and shape. When winter comes, prune any damaged branches or foliage to ensure a healthy and strong plant for the next growing season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Stokesia laevis 'Divinity' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Stokesia laevis 'Divinity' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Stokesia laevis 'Divinity' is in July and August.

Hardiness Map