top of page

Stokes Aster

Stokesia laevis

The Southern Belle: Stokesia laevis (Stokes' Aster)


The Snapshot

  • Common Name: Stokes' Aster

  • Scientific Name: Stokesia laevis

  • Origin: Native to the Southeastern United States (Pine woods and wet prairies)

  • Hardiness: Zones 5 – 9

  • The "Vibe": Refined, fringed, and reliable; the "intricate lace" of the early summer border.

Why We Love It

Stokesia doesn't look like your average wild Aster. It produces massive, 3-to-4-inch wide flowers that look like a cross between a Cornflower and a China Aster.

  1. The "Shaggy" Flower: The petals are deeply divided and fringed, surrounding a dense, fuzzy center. The result is a flower that looks incredibly complex and high-end.

  2. The Foliage: Unlike many Asters that get "crispy" at the bottom, Stokesia has beautiful, evergreen-to-semi-evergreen, strap-like leaves that form a lush, leathery mound.

  3. The "Cool" Color Palette: It is famous for its shades of periwinkle blue, lavender, and silvery-white—colors that help "cool down" the garden during the first heat of July.

Ecosystem & Wildlife Impact

  • Butterfly Landing Pad: The wide, flat flower heads provide an ideal platform for Sulphurs, Skippers, and Fritillaries to land and feed.

  • Bee Support: Honeybees and native sweat bees are frequent visitors to the nectar-rich centers.

  • Bird Seeds: If left to dry, the seed heads are occasionally visited by small birds in late summer.

Designer Tips: Where to Plant

  • The Front of the Border: Because of its tidy, evergreen mound and short stature, it is a perfect "edging" plant.

  • The Blue & Silver Garden: Pair the lavender-blue flowers with the silver foliage of Artemisia or Lamb’s Ear.

  • The Cutting Garden: These flowers last a surprisingly long time in a vase and their unique shape adds a "florist's touch" to homegrown bouquets.

Designer Pro-Tip: The biggest threat to Stokesia is winter rot. If your garden has heavy clay that stays soggy in the winter, plant your Stokes' Aster on a slight mound or in a raised bed. Adding a handful of gravel to the planting hole can also help ensure the crown doesn't sit in water during the dormant season.


Stories from the Garden

"I planted 'Peachie's Pick' two years ago, and I'm amazed at how clean the foliage looks all year. Most of my other summer flowers look a bit ragged by August, but the Stokes' Aster stays in a perfect, dark green mound. When it blooms, it’s a sea of periwinkle that the butterflies just won't leave alone."

— Annette R., Zone 7 Gardener

bottom of page