Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Stokesia laevis 'Alba'
Stokes Aster
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- 12 to 24 inches
- Width
- 12 to 18 inches
- Flower color
- Pure white, aster-like
- Foliage color
- Dark green, lance-shaped
- Bloom time
- Summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; occasional deadheading promotes rebloom
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies and bees
About this plant
Stokesia laevis 'Alba' is a cheerful perennial known for its large, pure white, daisy-like flowers that bloom from early summer into late summer. The blooms have a fringed, feathery appearance, with a central cluster of white stamens that add texture and contrast. These long-lasting flowers stand out against the plant's dark green, lance-shaped foliage, creating a clean, elegant look in the garden.
Native to the southeastern United States, 'Alba' has been selected for its refined white blooms, making it a popular choice for cottage gardens, borders, or pollinator-friendly plantings. Its crisp white flowers provide a bright, eye-catching display, and its compact growth habit adds structure and beauty to sunny garden beds.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums · Columbines · Lungworts
Design tip
The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
