‘Bluestone’ is an herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and a cultivar of the native Stokes' aster. This plant is actually dwarf in comparison to the other cultivars in the species, only getting to a maximum of 10-12 inches tall. It flowers in hues of bluish-purple in the middle of summer and carries a delicate fragrance and nectar attracting bees, butterflies, and birds. Plant ‘Bluestone’ in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil with a neutral to acidic pH. It grows well in moist, occasionally wet soil but is also drought tolerant. It can be propagated by seed or dividing the root ball, but it will not self-seed in the yard. Because ‘Bluestone’ can grow well in moist soil, it makes a good choice for planting near a water garden, pond, or riparian setting. It also adds long-blooming color to a cottage, butterfly, or pollinator garden. Plant it in small groups or in a mass planting in the front of a border. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Stokesia laevis .
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.
Fills a similar nicheAgastache 'Astello Indigo'Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'Viola sororia
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 5 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 3 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Basal rosette of lanceolate to elliptic 6" long leaves. Stem leaves have no petiole and are smaller than basal leaves.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Tiny cornflower blue to violet notched ray flowers clustered in a flower head 2"-4" across with feathery disk florets in the center. Blooms in the middle of summer through fall if you deadhead the flowers before they set seed.