Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Stokesia laevis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Stokes' aster

A perennial with basal, lance-shaped leaves up to 20cm long forming an evergreen rosette. Upright stems to around 50cm tall with shorter, stem-clasping leaves bear cornflower-like purple-blue flowerheads in summer and early autumn

Other common names
cornflower aster
Synonyms
Stokesia cyanea
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Blue Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Stokesia are perennials producing evergreen, basal rosettes. The colourful, cornflower-like flowers are long lasting and good for cutting

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SE US

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sunny, sheltered position in a fertile, well-drained soil; liable to rot in wet winter soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division in spring or root cuttings in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering. Tidy foliage in spring when new growth appears

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.