Stoke's aster

Brand: Proven Winners®

Color: Purple Shades

Features:

• Numerous flowers from early to late summer
• Foliage is a rich dark green
• Thrives in the heat and humidity of southern summers
• Attracts Butterflies
• Bee Friendly
• It can be used as a border plant or in a container

Details: This new series of Stoke's Aster will have North American wildflower enthusiasts TOTALLY STOKED™! Members of this series are moderately sized with dense habits. Good basal branching creates numerous flowers from early to late summer, completely covering the plant. Foliage is a rich dark green. These selections are from the North Carolina State University hybridizing program and are proven to thrive in the heat and humidity of southern summers. 2½-3" flowers are periwinkle blue. Stokesia is a native North American wildflower. It has been grown for many years for its beautiful flowers and ease of culture. Because of its heat tolerance, it is widely grown in the south. Blooming from midsummer to early fall (if deadheaded), it is a tremendous accent to yellow, pink, or white mums and other late bloomers.

Growing Tips: Stokes' Asters perform best in full sun and well-drained soil. It can adapt to dry or moist conditions, but cannot tolerate standing water. Deadheading spent flower stalks often prolongs flowering. Once flowering is finished, plants can be cut back to the basal foliage if fresh new growth is desired. Winter mulch is recommended in zone 5.