Product Description
Stokesia l. 'Riptide' PPAF CPBRAF - Proven Winners® TOTALLY STOKED Collection(30)ct Flat
Common Name: Stoke's Aster
This new series of Stoke's Aster will have North American wildflower enthusiasts TOTALLY STOKED™! Members of this series are moderately sized with dense habits. Good basal branching creates numerous flowers from early to late summer, completely covering the plant. Foliage is a rich dark green. These selections are from the North Carolina State University hybridizing program and are proven to thrive in the heat and humidity of southern summers.
2½-3" flowers are periwinkle blue.
Stokesia is a native North American wildflower. It has been grown for many years for its beautiful flowers and ease of culture. Because of its heat tolerance, it is widely grown in the south. Blooming from midsummer to early fall (if deadheaded), it is a tremendous accent to yellow, pink, or white mums and other late bloomers.
Stokes' Asters perform best in full sun and well-drained soil. It can adapt to dry or moist conditions, but cannot tolerate standing water. Deadheading spent flower stalks often prolongs flowering. Once flowering is finished, plants can be cut back to the basal foliage if fresh new growth is desired. Winter mulch is recommended in zone 5.
Height: 24.0-26.0 Inches
Spread: 32.0-36.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Consistent Water Needs
Poor to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer - Early Fall
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Native to North America
Stokesia laevis 'Riptide' is a captivating perennial that brings a wave of beautiful, periwinkle blue flowers to the summer garden. It is part of the Proven Winners TOTALLY STOKED™ series, known for its compact habit, abundant blooms, and rich green foliage. Here is a closer look at what makes 'Riptide' special, along with essential information for successful cultivation:
What Makes 'Riptide' Special:
- Abundant Periwinkle Blue Flowers: 'Riptide' produces a profusion of charming, cornflower-like flowers in a lovely shade of periwinkle blue. The blooms are 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter and have notched petals surrounding a central pincushion of feathery disk florets.
- Compact Habit: It maintains a dense, mounded habit, typically growing 24-26 inches tall and 32-36 inches wide, making it suitable for smaller gardens, borders, and containers.
- Long Blooming Period: It blooms from early summer to late summer, providing a long-lasting display of color. Deadheading spent flowers can further extend the bloom time.
- Rich Green Foliage: The foliage is a rich, dark green, forming an attractive backdrop for the periwinkle blue flowers and providing season-long interest.
- Heat and Humidity Tolerance: It thrives in the heat and humidity of southern summers, making it a great choice for gardeners in warmer climates.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract butterflies and bees, making it a valuable addition to any pollinator garden.
- Easy Care: Stokesia is generally low-maintenance and easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once established.
Description:
- Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Height & Spread: 24-26 inches tall and 32-36 inches wide
- Bloom Time: Early summer to late summer
- Flower Color: Periwinkle blue
- Foliage: Rich dark green
Native Habitat:
- Stokesia laevis, commonly known as Stokes' aster, is native to the southeastern United States, where it typically grows in wetlands, savannas, and along the coastal plain.
Landscaping Design Tips:
- Borders: Its compact size and upright habit make it a great addition to the front or middle of borders, adding a pop of color and texture.
- Cottage Gardens: The charming flowers and long blooming period make it a perfect fit for cottage-style gardens.
- Containers: Its compact size makes it suitable for container gardening, allowing you to enjoy its beauty on patios or balconies.
- Cut Flower Gardens: The long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
- Native Plant Gardens: As a native plant, it blends beautifully in native plant gardens and attracts local pollinators.
- Companion Planting: Combine it with other perennials that complement its blue flowers and bloom time, such as yellow or white flowering plants, or those with contrasting foliage colors.
Planting and Care:
- Planting:
- Plant in spring or fall.
- Choose a location with full sun.
- Prefers well-drained soil.
- Space plants about 24-36 inches apart.
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the crown is level with the ground.
- Fill the hole with soil and firm gently.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Care:
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer.
- Deadhead spent flower heads to encourage continuous blooming.
- Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
With its beautiful periwinkle blue flowers, compact habit, and easy-care nature, Stokesia 'Riptide' is a wonderful addition to any sunny garden. By following these planting and care tips, you can enjoy its beauty and attract pollinators to your yard for years to come.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
