Stokes' aster (Stokesia laevis 'Silver Moon')

Overview

Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial, easily recognized by its striking, fluffy, cornflower-like blossoms. This cultivar brings exceptional brightness to the garden with its creamy white coloration, offering extended bloom interest throughout the summer months. As a low-maintenance selection, Stokes’ aster provides consistent visual appeal without demanding intensive care.

Native to various wetland and coastal environments in the Southeastern US, this adaptable plant (Stokesia laevis) thrives in average garden settings provided drainage is adequate. The cultivar ‘Silver Moon’ matures into a compact mound, perfect for accenting borders or cottage garden designs. Its evergreen foliage in warmer zones adds winter structure, making it a reliable performer across its hardiness range.

The unique texture and color of the blooms on Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ make it an excellent focal point, contrasting beautifully with finer-textured plants. Gardeners appreciate Stokes’ aster for its longevity, resistance to common pests, and reliability in sunny locations, ensuring gorgeous, showy displays year after year.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: June to September
• Bloom Description: Creamy white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For optimal results with Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’, plant in the spring or fall in a location receiving full sun. While it tolerates some filtered sunlight, maximum performance and bloom production occur in full sun exposure. The most critical cultural requirement is excellent drainage; this plant absolutely struggles in wet winter soil, which is the primary cause of mortality.

Water young or newly established plants regularly to maintain medium moisture levels, especially during hot spells. Once established, Stokes’ aster demonstrates a surprising tolerance for drought, a useful trait in drier summers. Avoid excessive fertilization; average soil conditions are usually sufficient.

Routine maintenance involves deadheading. Promptly remove individual spent flowers and the entire finished flowering stem close to the base foliage. This action encourages the prolific rebloom characteristic of Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ throughout the season. In colder areas (Zone 5), applying a winter mulch protects the root crown. Plants can be tidied up by cutting back foliage after the main flush of bloom concludes.

Landscape Uses

Stokes’ aster, particularly the elegant ‘Silver Moon’ cultivar, excels near the front of mixed borders where its detailed blooms can be easily appreciated. Its compact, upright habit lends itself perfectly to cottage gardens, providing structure among softer, mounding perennials. Consider using mass plantings of Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ to create drifts of creamy white color that draw the eye across the landscape.

Given its preference for well-drained, even slightly sandy soils, this perennial pairs well with plants sharing similar moisture needs, such as certain ornamental grasses or drought-tolerant salvias. It is also an ideal candidate for placement along the margins of ponds or streams, provided the roots are not sitting in standing water or overly saturated soil constantly.

Its manageable size (1 to 1.5 feet tall) makes it suitable for defining pathways or softening the edge between a lawn and a perennial bed. Whether used in small groupings or integrated into a larger mixed border, the long bloom time of Stokes’ aster ensures season-long vibrancy.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Stokesia laevis, commonly known as Stokes’ aster, is native to wetlands, bottomlands, wet pinewoods, savannas and ditches mostly along the coastal plain from North Carolina to Florida to Louisiana. It is an evergreen perennial that typically grows to 1-2’ tall. It features fluffy, cornflower-like, violet blue flowers (to 2 1/2” across), each with notched rays surrounding a pincushion center of feathery disk florets. Flowers bloom from early to mid-summer (sometimes with a fall rebloom) atop generally erect, leafy stems that rise from a basal rosette of lanceolate to elliptic, medium green leaves (to 6” long). Stem leaves are stalkless and smaller than basal leaves. Leaves are evergreen in warm winter climates.Genus name honors English physician/botanist Jonathan Stokes (1755-1831).Specific epithet means smooth.‘Silver Moon’ features fluffy, cornflower-like, creamy white flowers (3-4” across) on generally erect, leafy stems growing to 18” tall. Long summer bloom.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Drought

Potential Problems

Stokes’ aster generally resists serious insect or disease issues, making it a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardening goals. Gardeners should occasionally inspect the foliage for caterpillars, which occasionally show interest in the leaves. The primary cultural challenge often relates to structure.

Flower stems of Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ can become top-heavy, especially following heavy rain or strong winds, leading to flopping. To minimize this, ensure plants are sited in areas that receive full sun, leading to sturdier growth overall, and adhere strictly to the requirement for well-drained soil. Deadheading spent blooms also helps manage the plant’s energy and appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Stokes’ aster suitable for?

Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ is typically hardy and reliable when grown in USDA Zones 5 through 9.

How large does Stokes’ aster grow?

This perennial generally achieves a modest size, reaching heights between 1 and 1.5 feet tall with an equal spread, making Stokes’ aster excellent for borders.

When does Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ bloom?

This beautiful cultivar offers an extended color period, typically blooming from June right through September, displaying its signature creamy white coloration.

What sun exposure does Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ need?

For the best flowering performance, ensure this plant is situated in a location that receives full sun throughout the day.

Conclusion

The creamy white, long-lasting blooms establish Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ as a standout performer for sunny borders and cottage gardens. Its low maintenance needs and notable drought tolerance make it exceptionally practical for the modern gardener. Before planting, confirm your site offers the necessary excellent drainage, and enjoy the reliable summer beauty of this choice Stokes’ aster selection.

Companion Planting

Selecting companions that thrive in full sun and require medium moisture complements the cultural needs of Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’. Consider pairing it with low-growing Sedum varieties or various ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) which also enjoy drier conditions once established. The fine texture of some companion ferns or hostas (placed where they receive afternoon shade) provides a lovely contrast to the broad basal leaves of the aster.

For color combinations, silver-leaved plants accentuate the light color of the creamy white flowers of ‘Silver Moon’. Plants with deep violet or purplish-blue flowers, such as Salvia or Coneflower (Echinacea), create a striking complementary color scheme popular in traditional English garden designs.

Design Ideas for Stokes’ Aster

Stokes’ aster works exceptionally well when treated as an edging plant or dotted throughout the mid-section of a perennial bed. Due to its relatively even height, it prevents a layered look from becoming too muddy, providing consistent visual markers. Use mass plantings of Stokesia laevis ‘Silver Moon’ near walkways to capitalize on the showy blooms across a broad surface area.

In contemporary settings, group clumps of this plant alongside clean structural elements, like low stone walls or modern gravel pathways, where its soft texture prevents the space from feeling too rigid. Its relatively neat habit means cleanup at the end of the season is minimal, preserving desirable garden structure into the early winter months.