Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' ®

Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' Care Guide

Stokesia 'Mel's Blue', commonly known as Stoke's Aster, is a beautiful perennial that adds a vibrant splash of blue to your garden. Known for its striking, large flowers and compact growth habit, it is perfect for borders, pollinator gardens, or containers. With its long-lasting blooms and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, 'Mel's Blue' is a reliable and low-maintenance plant for any garden.

Plant Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Stokesia 'Mel's Blue'
• Common Name: Stoke’s Aster
• Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature Size: Typically grows 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) in height and 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) in spread
• Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped leaves, dark green in color
• Flower Color: Soft blue with a hint of lavender, large daisy-like flowers
• Bloom Time: Summer to early autumn (June to September)
• Hardiness Zones: Hardy in USDA zones 5–9
• Growth Habit: Compact, clump-forming

Ideal Growing Conditions

• Light Requirements: Prefers full sun to light partial shade. To encourage maximum flowering, plant in an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Soil Preferences: Thrives in well-draining, moderately fertile soil. It tolerates a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and even slightly acidic to neutral soils.
• Watering Needs: While Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during dry spells. Ensure the soil is kept moderately moist, but avoid overwatering or waterlogging, as this can lead to root rot.
• Temperature and Humidity: Prefers moderate temperatures and is best suited to areas with warm summers. It tolerates heat but may struggle in overly humid climates, so good airflow is essential.
• Fertilization: Generally, this plant doesn’t require heavy feeding. However, adding a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring or a light application of compost will encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms.

Planting and Maintenance

• Planting Time: Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' should be planted in spring after the threat of frost has passed or in autumn to allow time for root establishment.
• Spacing: Space plants 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) apart to allow for their spreading nature and promote air circulation, which can help prevent disease.
• Mulching: A light layer of mulch around the base will help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. However, avoid piling mulch directly against the stems to prevent rot.
• Pruning:
  • Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continued blooming and to maintain the plant’s tidy appearance.
  • After the first frost in autumn, cut back the plant to the ground to prepare for winter.
  • Remove any dead or damaged leaves or stems throughout the growing season to maintain the plant’s health.
• Dividing Clumps: Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. The best time to divide is in early spring or late autumn, ensuring each division has a healthy root system.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. It may occasionally suffer from powdery mildew in humid conditions, so providing ample spacing and airflow around plants can help prevent this. Regularly inspect for common pests like aphids and slugs and address any issues promptly.

Benefits and Uses

• Pollinator-Friendly: The large, showy flowers of Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens.
• Long Blooming Period: With blooms from late spring to early autumn, 'Mel’s Blue' provides extended color and interest in your garden.
• Drought-Tolerant: Once established, it requires little water, making it a great option for xeriscaping or low-maintenance gardens.
• Low-Maintenance: Aside from occasional deadheading and dividing every few years, this perennial requires minimal care.
• Compact Growth Habit: Its smaller size makes it perfect for containers, smaller borders, or as a front-of-the-border plant in larger perennial beds.
• Winter Interest: After the flowers have faded, the plant’s seed heads provide structure and interest in winter gardens.

Potential Issues and Solutions

• Leaf Spot Disease: Stokesia is occasionally susceptible to fungal diseases like leaf spot. To prevent this, avoid overhead watering, provide good air circulation, and remove any affected foliage.
• Powdery Mildew: In humid conditions, powdery mildew may develop. If this happens, prune the affected leaves and provide better spacing between plants for improved airflow.
• Floppy Growth: If your plant becomes leggy or floppy, pinch back the stems early in the growing season to encourage bushier growth and more compact flowering.
• Overwatering: Avoid overwatering or planting in poorly drained soil, as this can lead to root rot. Ensure the soil is well-draining and allow the plant to dry out slightly between watering.

Propagation Methods

• Division: The easiest method to propagate Stokesia 'Mel’s Blue' is by division. In early spring or autumn, dig up the plant, separate the clumps, and replant them in well-prepared soil.
• Seed Propagation: While possible, growing from seed can be slow and unpredictable, and it's not the preferred method for maintaining true-to-type characteristics. If growing from seed, start indoors in late winter or early spring.

Companion Planting

Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' pairs well with a range of other perennials and shrubs, including:

• Echinacea (Coneflower) – Provides a complementary, daisy-like flower in a contrasting color.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed) – Shares a similar growth habit and will complement Stokesia's blooms.
• Lavender – Adds fragrant foliage and purple flowers that pair beautifully with 'Mel's Blue.'
• Salvia – The blue or purple flower spikes of salvia make an excellent companion, attracting pollinators alongside Stokesia.
• Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) – Offers bold red and yellow flowers that pair well with Stokesia's blue blooms.

Stokesia 'Mel’s Blue' is a fantastic perennial that provides vibrant color, attracts pollinators, and is well-suited to low-maintenance gardens. With its drought tolerance, long blooming period, and compact form, it makes an excellent addition to borders, containers, or wildlife gardens

• Size
  2L

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
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