Stokesia laevis (Stokes Aster)

Stokesia laevis, also called Stoke's aster, is a showy, low-growing relative of the Aster family (Asteraceae). Growing to only around 24" tall and 18" wide, Stoke's aster is noted for its attractive, leathery foliage, which persists throughout the year in attractive rosettes, and its fluffy, fragrant, purple to blueish flowers, which begin blooming in early summer. As flowers persist, they turn from dark purple to white before beginning to fade, attracting a variety of butterflies and bees before they finish their blooms.

As Stoke's aster is low-growing, sun-loving, and grows best in medium-moist well-draining soils, it's an excellent pick for a variety of locations around the home, including in containers, small bed plantings, and mass plantings, and they work great as low accents in pollinator gardens or rock gardens too. Deadheading spent blooms can result in flowers through the entire summer, and Stoke's aster is surprisingly tolerant to heat, humidity, and drought.