Honeysong Purple Stokes Aster

Honeysong Purple Stokes Aster is a joyful addition to any perennial garden. This Aster has an intense reddish purple that entices any and all beneficial pollinators in your neighborhood. The giant 4inch blooms are prolific and make cut flowers or an addition to a seasonal mixed container planting for the patio or deck. Stokes Aster is a native of North America that blooms in the late summer and appeals to pollinating insects, butterflies and hummingbirds. Honeysong Purple has great heat and cold tolerance, making this one perennial that gardeners in almost any zone can grow and enjoy. The compact, mounded shape of the foliage keeps its dark green color all summer and resists browsing from deer and rabbits. Honeysong Purple Stokes Aster Care Asters are very easy to grow and care for. A full sun to part shade position that has well drained, but moist soil, is the perfect start. Soil that is on the acidic side is preferred, although neutral soil will be acceptables. Consistent watering is very important when Stokes Aster is young. After Honeysong Purple is mature, short periods of drought are easily tolerated. Stokes Asters like to be cut back hard in the late winter after all of the previous years growth has died, making maintenance easy and quick. Mulching the plant crowns with organic compost or leaves in the fall will ensure good insulation from even the coldest winter. Fertilizing is recommended early in the spring as the new growth emerges. A well balanced, slow release food formulated for acid loving plants is the right choice. Honeysong Purple Stokes Aster Spacing Honeysong Purple is a compact version of a Stokes Aster and does not generally require staking to keep it upright and looking its best. A mature height of 12-16 inches, with a width of 10-12 inches makes Honeysong Purple a great candidate for container growing or placing at the front of the border. Space the plants at 10 inches on center when growing them in the ground.