Common name: Stokes' Aster 'Mel's'

Description: This delightful North American native perennial produces an abundance of large, fluffy cornflower-like blooms in soft lavender-blue shades throughout summer and into autumn. The flowers, measuring up to 8cm across, have a distinctive ragged, fringed appearance with a paler centre, creating an informal, cottage garden charm. The blooms are held on sturdy stems above rosettes of evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage, and the plant flowers continuously over a remarkably long season, often from early summer right through to the first frosts. This is an exceptionally drought-tolerant and low-maintenance perennial that thrives in sunny, well-drained positions where many other plants struggle. The long flowering period and pollinator appeal make this invaluable for prairie-style plantings, gravel gardens, or the front of sunny borders. Excellent for cutting.

Other benefits: very long flowering season, drought tolerant, low maintenance, excellent for cutting, semi-evergreen foliage

Wildlife attraction: bees, butterflies, pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.4m x 0.4m

Position: full sun to partial shade; flowers most prolifically in full sun

Soil pH: adaptable to most soils; performs well in neutral to slightly acidic conditions

Moisture: low to moderate watering required; highly drought tolerant once established; must have excellent drainage

Winter hardiness: very cold hardy to -20°C