Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster

Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster (Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue')

Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster is a compact perennial forming a neat rosette of leathery green leaves topped by large, fringed blue-purple daisies in summer. It brings reliable color to sunny borders, pollinator gardens, and containers with a tidy, mounding habit.

Distinctive Features

Showy, long-lasting flower heads with fringed rays and contrasting centers attract butterflies, while sturdy stems and evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage provide extended seasonal interest in mild climates.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to light partial shade, with more sun for strongest flowering.
• Soil: Well drained, moderately fertile soil; slightly acidic sand or loam is ideal.
• Water: Water to establish, then provide moderate moisture; tolerates brief dry periods once established.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
• Mature Size: 1 to 1.5 ft tall and 1.5 to 2 ft wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Large blue blooms create a bright accent at the front of sunny beds.
• Pollinator Gardens: Nectar-rich flowers support butterflies and bees.
• Mixed Borders: Pairs well with grasses and summer perennials.
• Containers: Performs in pots with sharp drainage.
• Cut Flowers: Sturdy stems and unique blooms suit arrangements.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep evenly moist during active growth and flowering; avoid waterlogged soil.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to extend the season and shear lightly after the first flush to encourage rebloom.
• Fertilizing: Feed in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer if growth is light.
• Mulching: Apply a thin mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it off the crown.
• Notes: Ensure sharp drainage through winter to prevent crown rot.

Why Choose Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster?

• Vivid Color: Rich blue-purple flowers stand out in summer displays.
• Long Bloom: Deadheading and a light shear promote weeks of flowering.
• Compact Habit: Tidy mound fits front-of-border and container settings.
• Pollinator Friendly: Excellent nectar source for butterflies and bees.
• Heat Tolerant: Handles summer warmth with adequate drainage and moisture.

Plant in full sun with well drained soil, deadhead regularly, and provide moderate moisture for the most abundant, long-lasting blooms.