Stokes' Aster 'Mel's Blue'

Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue'

Overview

Uses: Quick spreading herbaceous perennial. A great garden and container plant! Dense, mat-like growth! 

Benefits: Attracts pollinators and butterflies. Produces late-season, attractive, periwinkle blue flowers that have a wonderful fragrance. Drought and rabbit tolerant! 

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9

Sun: Full Sun

Life Cycle: Perennial 

Mature Height: 12" - 16"

Mature Width: 12" - 16"

Bloom Season: Late summer through early fall 

Summary

Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue'—most commonly known as Stokes' Aster 'Mel's Blue'—is a herbaceous flowering perennial plant that's known to be particularly hardy, especially for sites that are prone to strong sun, high heat, and dry soil.  

This particular cultivar, 'Mel's Blue', grows in a mound like shape often reaching a mature size of 12" to 16" in all directions. 

Baby blue violet, fluffy flowers with whitish centers are often between 1" to 3" in diameter.

During periods of flowering, the blooms are sometimes so prolific that it's difficult to see the foliage underneath! 

Foliage is considered to be semi-evergreen, as it's evergreen in warmer climates

Its mat-like, dense growth and quick spread truly make this plant an excellent choice for use as a tall groundcover. 

Although it's best known for its love of full sun and dry soil, Stokes' Aster also does well in richer, moist soils and partial shade.

Perfect for borders, beds, accent pieces, patios, and containers! 

Attracts pollinators, butterflies, and birds. 

Drought tolerant, heat tolerant, deer resistant. 

Care

Stokes' Aster Care

Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue' is very easy to care for and does not require lots of attention or maintenance. 

Although it often does not require fertilizer unless soil conditions are quite poor, fertilizations will accelerate growth and keep your plant well fed. We suggest using our slow release fertilizer, or something similar.

Stokes' Aster 'Mel's Blue' may be grown in partial sun, although areas that receive full sun are much better. Insufficient sunlight exposure will result in poor growth habits such as stretching, sparse flowering, and proneness to fungus and disease. 

Water regularly after planting until established, or in periods of drought. Its ideal soil is moist, rich, and well draining, although (once established) its known to thrive in dry soil conditions. Do not overwater, especially in colder seasons! 

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage maximum blooming! 

It's best to cut back the leaves and flower stalks of this plant in the winter, although not required.

Size

Size of Stokes' Aster for Sale Online

Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue' that we sell online will ship in a greenhouse grade grow pot. Each plant will be appropriately sized for its pot. Please contact us with any specific questions.

Size of Stokes' Aster When Fully Grown

Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue' typically grows in a mounded shape to a mature height and width of around 12" to 24". 

Additional Information

Common Names of Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue'

• Stokesia 'Mel's Blue'

• Stokes' Aster 'Mel's Blue'
  

• Mel's Blue Aster

Toxicity and Risks of Stokes' Aster

We could not find any information that would lead us to believe that are toxic effects associated with Stokesia laevis 'Mel's Blue'.