Stokesia laevis 'Divinity' Stoke's aster
Stokesia
Stoke’s aster, the only species in its genus within the aster family, originates from the southeastern United States, where it naturally occurs from North Carolina through Florida to Louisiana, most often on acidic, well-drained soils of moist meadows, pine savannas, and coastal plains. It was first described by British botanist John Hill in 1768 under the name Carthamus laevis, based on material brought from the coastal areas of the Carolinas. Later, in 1789, French botanist Charles Louis L’Héritier de Brutelle established the genus Stokesia in honor of English physician and botanist Jonathan Stokes (1755–1831), a member of the Linnean Society and collaborator of William Withering. Botanically, it belongs to the tribe Vernonieae and is thus closely related to the genus Vernonia.
Stokesia reached Europe as early as the 19th century and quickly found its way into major botanical gardens and prestigious parks. By the late 19th century, it was cultivated in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris; later it appeared in the Berlin Botanical Garden and, during the interwar period, became part of the “Nordamerikanische Stauden” collection. Czechia was no exception – according to inventories from the 1930s, it adorned the chateau park in Kroměříž, planted in the so‑called “American corner” alongside other North American species. In the 20th century, it earned the recommendation of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and spread to other European gardens, where it remains an exotic yet reliable feature with a long horticultural tradition.
Divinity is a chance seedling of Stoke’s aster found by Paul David Babikow in his nursery In Florida, USA, in 2009. Looking at its divine flowers it makes sense why it was named that way. They are truly stunning with their diameter of 8-10 cm and almost white colour (with just a tiny flush of blue). They open from August, and if regularly deadheaded they continue popping up until autumn. They take a few days before they mature completely to the flat shape but on the other hand they are quite long-lasting which is why they are very popular for cutting.
It makes rather compact and well-branched clumps with only about 30-40 cm tall stems. Leaves are evergreen in milder climates, medium green, broadly lance-shaped, long at the basal rosette, and quite short along the stems. Divinity Stoke’s aster was granted a US patent PP26164 in 2015.
In plantings, it combines beautifully with other sun‑loving, drought‑tolerant species that also appreciate occasional extra watering or natural rainfall. It pairs well with salvias, coneflowers, rudbeckias, coreopsis, scabious, and lower ornamental grasses that emphasize its delicate habit. Striking effects can also be achieved with taller sedums that offer autumn blooms and contrasting foliage colours – these emerge early in spring, while Stokesia is still dormant, helping to extend the border’s season of interest. In naturalistic compositions, it works well alongside lavender, achillea, gypsophilla, and perovskia, together creating a colourful display that is highly attractive to pollinators.
Provide Stokesia with a position in full sun and well‑drained soil to prevent its roots from rotting over winter. In heavier soils, improve drainage by adding grit or sand or slightly elevate the planting height. In spring, after all frosts, remove the winter mulch and cut back any dead leaves close to the rosette. During the growing season, maintain even moisture, especially while the plant is establishing, and regularly deadhead to encourage continued flowering into autumn. Every few years, divide older clumps in early autumn to keep them vigorous. In winter, protect the plant with a dry mulch (evergreen boughs, straw, or dry, non‑rotting walnut leaves), especially in areas prone to bare frosts. Its hardiness is verified to approximately –28 °C (USDA zone 5), so in colder regions, winter protection is recommended.
Last update 26-07-2021; 01-09-2025
