Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster
Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster (Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue')
Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster (Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue') is a striking perennial prized for its sky-blue, fringed flowers and reliable summer performance. A pollinator favorite, this heat-tolerant and drought-resistant selection thrives in full sun, bringing soft, cool tones to borders, rock gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings.
Distinctive Features
'Mel's Blue' produces large, daisy-like blooms with deeply fringed petals in a clear, light blue tone. Flowering from early to late summer, it attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. Its deep green, lance-shaped foliage forms a compact, mounding clump about 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, offering a tidy and colorful presence throughout the season.
Growing Conditions
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to light partial shade
- Soil Type: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
- Water Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Ideal Uses
- Pollinator gardens to attract butterflies and bees
- Perennial borders for soft, cool color contrast
- Rock gardens with dry, well-drained soils
- Mass plantings for a calming color display
- Cut flower gardens for long-lasting blooms
Low Maintenance Care
- Water regularly during establishment; tolerates dry periods once mature
- Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering
- Light spring fertilization enhances vigor and bloom quality
- Resistant to deer and rabbits and generally pest-free
- Cut back old foliage in late fall or early spring
Why Choose Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster
- Soft sky-blue flowers for serene garden color
- Neat, clumping habit stays compact without staking
- Highly attractive to pollinators
- Drought-tolerant and heat-hardy with minimal care
- Low-maintenance perennial for long-lasting summer blooms
Mel's Blue Stokes' Aster brings tranquil color, tidy form, and pollinator appeal to the garden, making it a dependable and elegant choice for sunny beds and borders.
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