Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Mel's Blue Stokes Aster packs some serious style into a relatively small plant. Broad petals have deeply notched, fringed ends, resulting in a feathery look. Each flower of the Stokesia laevis is 2 to 3 inches wide and has a very dense and full appearance. This plant is a prolific bloomer, and the entire exterior will be covered in flowers from July through late summer. The flowers are so eye-catching that you may not notice, but this plant has thin, dark green foliage.
This beauty has a branched upright structure. Plant this Aster in beds, borders, mass plantings, or containers. Butterflies and other pollinators enjoy the striking flowers. Grow this plant as a perennial in USDA zones 5 through 8.
Mel's Blue Stokes Aster Care
Soil should be rich, acidic to neutral, and moist but well-drained. Aster needs at least 6 hours of sunlight. Give this beauty a drink weekly or when the top several inches of soil dry out. Top-dress with soil each spring with organic compost or feed this plant using a balanced fertilizer.
Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Greenery can be cut back in the late fall or early spring.
Mel's Blue Stokes Aster Spacing
This is an upright, mounded perennial that will grow 12 to 24 inches tall and wide. Create a full, meadow-like effect by spacing plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
Mel's Blue Stokes Aster Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1 Foot
- Mature Spread
- 1 Foot
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded, Clumping
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Blue, Purple
- Flower Description
- Vibrant sky-blue
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous, Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, 3 Season Interest, Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Mel's Blue Stokes Aster
- Botanical Name
- STOKESIA LAEVIS 'MEL'S BLUE'
- Brand
- Plants That Work
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!