Peachie's Pick Stokes Aster

Stokes Asters Stokesia hybrids are a group of cultivated hybrids that have been favorites in gardens across the nation for decades. Peachies Pick is named after Peachie Saxton who discovered it growing in her Mississippi garden. It is a compact semi-dwarf variety of Stokes Aster with huge blue flowers, has all of its good features and none of it's not so good features. It is a long blooming perennial that blooms in late summer and may rebloom in the fall, and remains evergreen to lend a winter interest to your garden. Native to North America, Stokesia can be found in ditches, wetlands and savannahs across North Carolina to Florida, and then to Louisiana, Zones 5 to 9. It may grow in often wet areas, but it dislikes constantly wet feet, especially in the winter. Its cornflower blue frilly flowers blanket the green foliage and create cushions of flowers in your garden bed. They attract pollinators and make a great cut flower to bring beauty into your home. Unlike its parent plant, its compact size keeps it from flopping over, especially after a rainstorm. Once established, this hardy little powerhouse can tolerate some drought conditions, but for best results, provide it with consistent moisture. Peachie's Pick Stokes Aster Care Plant in full sun, although some light shade is tolerated, especially in hot humid summer regions. Well draining soil is a must as you will lose your plant if it sits in water, especially over the winter. It tolerates poor soil as well as average and fertile soil, and is just as versatile in terms of soil pH that it tolerates, growing in acidic to alkaline soils equally well. Water deeply at least one time a week, allowing it to dry out in between times. Feed with a slow release 10-20-10 application of fertilizer in the spring and water it in well. Deer and rabbits tend to not browse on Stokesia, but should they decide to, your perennial will likely survive and continue to thrive. Deadheading will benefit your Peachies Pick Stokes Aster as it will stimulate repeat blooming. Blooming later than other varieties, Peachies Pick will bloom in June and July, and then repeat bloom in late summer, early fall before the frost. Pruning is not normally needed, but remove dead or yellowed stems to keep your plant clean and tidy. You will want to divide your perennial at least once every 3 years to keep it vigorous. Stokesia can reseed itself, but the resulting offspring may not grow true to its parent. Peachie's Pick Stokes Aster Spacing Space your plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to give room to grow. Peachies Pick can grow up to 18 inches high, but spread out up to 24 inches wide. Proper air circulation will help reduce any soil borne plant diseases and give you healthier plants. Consider planting Peachies Pick as a landscape border or edging, or in a pollinator or cutting garden for great effect. Their compact size and unique cornflower blue color will make a great foreground plant in an informal cottage garden as well. Whatever you decide to do, you will enjoy Peachies Pick Stokes Aster in your garden this spring where it is sure to become your pick, too.