Stokesia laevis 'Mary Gregory' (Stokes Aster)

Stokesia laevis 'Mary Gregory' is a unique yellow-flowering cultivar of Stoke's aster, a showy, low-growing relative of the Aster family (Asteraceae). Growing to only around 24" tall and 18" wide, 'Mary Gregory' Stoke's aster is noted for its attractive, leathery foliage, unique among aster relatives in its shape, color, and persistence throughout the year in attractive rosettes, as well as its fluffy, fragrant, butter-yellow flowers, which begin blooming in late spring or early summer, attracting a variety of butterflies and bees before they finish their blooms in late summer or fall.

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. In addition, 'Mary Gregory' works great when planted singly or in masses as low, spreading accent pieces in pollinator gardens or rock gardens. Deadheading spent blooms can result in flowers through the entire summer, and Stoke's aster is surprisingly tolerant to heat, humidity, and drought, making this cultivar's buttery blooms an excellent pick for wherever you might need an extra pop of color and attractive, glossy leaves.