Stokes' aster is a sun-loving perennial native to the coastal wetlands and savannas from North Carolina to Louisiana, prized for its fluffy, cornflower-like violet-blue flowers that bloom from June through September. Hardy in zones 5 to 9, this evergreen reaches 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, making it a compact addition to gardens that handles drought and heat with surprising resilience. The notched-ray flowers, each stretching to 2.5 inches across, surround a delicate pincushion center and attract butterflies while resisting deer and rabbit browsing. 'Mary Gregory' is notable among Stokes' aster cultivars for its reduced tendency to flop after heavy rain, a common challenge for taller stems in this species.
18
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
18in H x 18in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Violet-blue flowers with a distinctive pincushion center bloom reliably from early summer into fall, sometimes reblooming after deadheading. Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in full sun with moderate watering and well-drained soil. Deer and rabbits leave it untouched, while butterflies visit consistently. Unlike many Stokes' aster cultivars, 'Mary Gregory' shows improved stem strength, making it less prone to sprawling after storms.
Stokes' aster is grown primarily as an ornamental perennial flower. Its long blooming season, compact size, and pollinator appeal make it suitable for cut arrangements, border plantings, and butterfly gardens. The flowers dry well for cutting and are showy enough to anchor summer garden displays.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Deadhead individual spent flowers and remove spent flowering stems to encourage additional bloom and maintain neat appearance. This practice extends the blooming season and reduces the likelihood of excessive self-seeding.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Stokesia laevis is native to wetlands, bottomlands, wet pinewoods, savannas, and ditches across the coastal plain from North Carolina to Florida to Louisiana. The genus honors Jonathan Stokes, an 18th-century botanist and physician. 'Mary Gregory' represents a selected cultivar of this southeastern native, bred for horticultural reliability and reduced flopping, a persistent problem in the species when exposed to heavy rain or strong wind.”