Stokes's Aster

Frost Tolerance: Survive with protection in USDA zones 5 and 6

Heat Tolerance: In the hottest areas, it does better with some shade in early afternoon when the sun is hottest.

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Southeastern USA

Growth Habits: Evergreen to semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial, 16 to 24 inches tall and wide (45-60 cm); medium green basal leaves, sometimes toothed, 6 to 8 inches long (15-20 cm)

Flowers: White, yellow, violet or blue flowers

Watering Needs: Regular water, needs good drainage and acidic soils

Propagation: Division, stratified seeds, easy to transplant

Selected varieties:
• 'Alba': white flowerheads.
• 'Blue Danube': lavender flowerheads, 4 to 5 inches in diameter (10-12 cm).
• 'Blue Moon': deep blue flowerheads.
• 'Bluestone': a dwarf cultivar, up to 10 inches tall (25 cm).
• 'Klaus Jelitto': Large, pale blue flowers
• 'Mary Gregory': creamy yellow flowerheads, 12 inches tall (30 cm).
• 'Omega Skyrocket': large variety, 3 to 4 feet tall (0.9-1.2 m) with long-stemmed white to pale blue flowers, 4 inches in diameter (10 cm), less cold resistant than the other varieties.
• 'Purple Parasols': deep violet purple flowers.
• 'Rosea': rosy-pink flowerheads.
• 'Silver Moon': silvery-white flowerheads, up to 4 inches in diameter (10 cm).
• 'Wyoming': dark blue flowerheads, 4 inches in diameter (10 cm).

Blooming Habits:
Shaggy cornflower-like pink or blue flowerheads, 3 to 4 inches in diameter (7.5-10 cm), in late summer and autumn.

Culture:
When the conditions are favorable the Stokes' aster tends to spread and sometimes become invasive.