Stokesia laevis 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile

Stokes' aster 'Alba'

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
3 Suppliers

An evergreen perennial forming a basal rosette of mid-green, lance-shaped leaves from which emerges a leafy stem bearing cornflower-like white flowerheads from summer into autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Stokesia are perennials producing evergreen, basal rosettes. The colourful, cornflower-like flowers are long lasting and good for cutting
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sunny, sheltered position in a fertile, well-drained soil; liable to rot in wet winter soils

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or root cuttings in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering. Tidy foliage in spring when new growth appears

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free