Riptide Stokes Aster

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2 Feet

Mature Spread

3 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Lovely flowers that bloom all summer long and a low-maintenance care regime make the Riptide Stokes Aster a good pick for a landscape. The flowers of the Stokesia laevis 'Riptide' measure 2-½-3 inches across and have frilly petals in a shade of periwinkle blue. The large outer petals are evenly spaced and feature deeply scalloped ends, creating a fringe-like appearance. The inner petals have the same shape but are much smaller and more densely spaced, giving the flowers an almost fuzzy texture.

The dense, mounded, well-branched growth habit gives this plant a full form. Feature the Riptide Stokes Aster in a border or mixed bed. The stunning flowers create a breathtaking mass planting, or use this Aster as a filler in a container. Trim some of the flowers to include in arrangements. As a North American native, the Riptide Stokes Aster is easy to maintain. This beauty thrives in intense summer weather; increased heat and humidity are not an issue. Foragers like rabbits and deer leave this plant alone, while pollinators like bees and butterflies seek it out.

Riptide Stokes Aster Care

Plant the Riptide Stokes Aster in full sun because this beauty needs at least six hours of sunlight. This perennial is adaptable to most soil types, but fertile, moist, well-drained soil with an acidic to neutral pH will provide the best results. Water consistently for the first couple of months. Established plants are drought tolerant, but water during a dry spell to support continued blooming. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and provide nutrients. A light application of slow-release fertilizer will support the plant throughout the growing season.

Pinch new growth starting in the spring to encourage a full, bushy plant. Remove spent flowers or deadhead the plant to extend the blooming cycle. Trim all growth to ground level in the fall.

Riptide Stokes Aster Spacing

Mature plants reach 24 to 26 inches tall and 32 to 36 inches wide. Create a dense border by spacing plants 32 to 36 inches apart from center to center.

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