Stokes' Aster
Also known as Stokesia laevis, Stokes' aster is a versatile and showy native that does well in both natural habitats and in home landscapes.
Many gardeners choose Stokes' aster because they enjoy the plant's lively flowers, which can be deep blue, rosy-pink, silvery-white, or even yellow, depending on the cultivar. Flowers can grow as large as 4 inches across and typically appear from April through June.
Another perk of Stokes' aster is that it is drought tolerant and easy to care for, once it's established. It performs best in partially sunny locations with well-drained, acidic soil and can grow from 10 to 24 inches tall. Since it's a perennial, you can divide mature clumps to yield new plants.
One final advantage of Stokes' aster is that it serves a a great source of nectar for butterflies. So try using Stokes' aster to brighten your perennial borders or garden beds!
UF/IFAS Sites
UF/IFAS Publications
- Butterfly Plants for Southern Climates
- Common Native Wildflowers of North Florida
- Establishment of Native Wildflower Plantings by Seed
- Florida-Friendly Plant List (PDF)
- Go Native
- Perennials: Low-maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida
- Native Landscape Plants for South Florida
- Native Plants
- Native Wildflowers on Roadsides of Central and South Florida
- Stokes' Aster--Tom MacCubbin's Plant List
Other Sites
- Dividing Perennials--Clemson Extension
- Florida Landscape--Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative--Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association
- Native Plant Questions and Answers--U.S. National Arboretum
- Native Plants Database--Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
