Guide to growing Stokes Aster - Stokesia
Stokesia is often known by the common name of Stokes Aster.
Stokesia is an hardy perennial that reaches from 30 to 60cm in height.
Varieties of Stokesia may have fringed blue, purple, white or pink flowers and these come onto bloom in the summer.
How to grow Stokes Aster
The seeds of Stokes Aster can be sown outdoors in either early spring or early autumn. Seeds should be sown in either a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden and then lightly covered. Stokes' Aster likes to grow in a rich soil and it is very important that the ground that the plant grows in has very god drainage.
If starting off Stokes' Aster (Stokesia) indoors then start about 10 weeks in advance. Seeds should take about 3 to 4 weeks to germinate at 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. The young aster plants can be put outside either early in autumn or just before the last frost of spring. Small species of Stokesia should be planted at about 25cm apart, whilst larger varieties should be planted about 45cm apart.
Caring for Stokesia (Stokes' Aster)
It is easy to look after the Stokesia Stokes Aster; do not let soil become drenched as they do not like wet soil; cut back to ground level at the end of the season in autumn. If you require more plants then propagate Aster by division in the early months of spring.