Stoke’s aster is an herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to the southeastern United States. The genus name commemorates Jonathan Stokes (1755–1831), an English physician and botanist. The species epithet is Latin for "smooth" and likely refers to the margins of the rosette leaves (cauline leaves usually have toothed margins). Stoke’s aster grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist soil with good drainage. It will tolerate occasionally wet soil and is resistant to drought, deer, and rabbits. It will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and up to 18 inches wide. This plant was very popular in old gardens. The showy deep violet or lavender-blue flowers appear in early summer. Its leaves persist through the winter, in dark green, attractive rosettes. Plant this aster as a border or mass planting in a native, pollinator, butterfly, cottage, or winter garden. Its tolerance of moisture also makes it appropriate for a pond margins or upper riparian areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.