Stokesia laevis 'PURPLE PARASOLS' Stoke's aster
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,3-0,5m
usual width
0,3-0,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
August-September
location
full sun
USDA zone (lowest)
7 (down to -23°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:
Purple Parasols is the very first Stoke’s aster with extra large flowers. It was a naturally occurring mutation of a seedling found by Clyde Scott Warren in Hebron, KY, USA in 1993. Its XL flowers are 10-12 cm across on adult plants, rich lavender violet to lilac pink in colour with creamy white centres, open from late July, and if regularly deadheaded they continue popping up until autumn. They 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. Purple Parasols was granted a US patent PP10660 in 1998 i.e. it is expired now.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. Hardiness confirmed so far to -24°C (USDA zone 6) and it should even withstand -29 °C.
Last update 10-08-2020
