Stokesia laevis 'MEL'S BLUE' Stoke's aster
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,3-0,5m
usual width
0,3-0,4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-September
location
full sun
USDA zone (lowest)
5b (down to -27°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Stoke’s aster is a genus of just this one species. I fell in love with this charming perennial the first time I laid my eyes on it when I first saw it at Plantarium exhibition in Boskoop, the Netherlands, where it was presented as a little known, showy perennial.
Description of the plant:
Mel's Blue Stoke’s aster is a chance seedling found by Adrianus van Heesbeen from the Netherlands in 2007. Compared to the species Mel's Blue has more rounded habit, more stems that are stronger and produce more flowers. The flowers are 8-9 cm large, cornflower-like flowerheads of rich lavender violet colour. They open from late July and if regularly deadheaded they continue popping up until autumn. The flowers take a few days before they mature completely to the flat shape but on the other hand they are quite long-lasting which is why they are very popular for cutting. The leaves are evergreen in milder climates, medium green, narrowly lance-shaped, long at the basal rosette, and quite short along the stems. Mel's Blue is a patented variety, patent No. PP23090 was issued in 2012.Stoke’s aster comes from S.E. USA where it grows naturally on the edges of conifer woods, in moist, acid soil. It is hardy enough to be grown in Europe, too, down to zone 5b provided the soil is sharply-drained in order to avoid winter root rot. Grow it in full sun for profusion of flowers and make sure the soil is acid which will enhance the flower colour. Hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5b).
Last update 16-07-2019
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
