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How to Grow Stokes' Aster Colorwheel

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Stokes' Aster Colorwheel

Stokesia laevis 'Colorwheel'

flower

Stokes' Aster Colorwheel is a vibrant perennial flower featuring unique bi-colored blooms with purple-blue outer petals and yellow centers, creating a striking color wheel effect. This cultivar is a compact, clumping plant that blooms prolifically from early summer through fall. It is an excellent choice for borders, containers, and cut flower gardens.

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Example Stokes' Aster Colorwheel timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Stokes' Aster Colorwheel

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Stokes' Aster Colorwheel blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Stokes' Aster Colorwheel dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial afternoon shade in hot climates
💧
Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season. Once established, relatively drought-tolerant. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.
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Spacing: 18 inches
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Days to maturity: 60-90 days from transplant to first flowers
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Planting depth: Plant crowns at soil level; seeds sown 1/8 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Peat moss Perlite or sand for drainage improvement

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with 2-4 true leaves emerge within 7-14 days. Very delicate and require consistent moisture.

Keep soil evenly moist; provide bright, indirect light; maintain temperatures 65-75°F; thin to strongest seedlings.

2

Vegetative

4-8 weeks

Plant develops rosettes of narrow, lance-shaped evergreen foliage. Growth is slow initially but accelerates as temperatures warm. Plant reaches 12-18 inches tall.

Water regularly; apply balanced fertilizer monthly; ensure excellent drainage to prevent crown rot; mulch lightly around base.

3

Budding & Early Flowering

2-3 weeks

Flower buds form at stem tips in late spring/early summer. Initial blooms appear with characteristic purple-blue and yellow coloring.

Maintain consistent moisture; deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; stake if needed in windy locations; apply bloom booster fertilizer.

4

Peak Flowering

8-12 weeks

Plant is covered with 2-3 inch diameter flowers in shades of purple, blue, and yellow. Flowering is prolific and continuous.

Deadhead regularly to extend blooming; water during dry spells; watch for pests and diseases; provide support if stems flop over.

5

Senescence & Dormancy

3-4 months

Flowering slows in late fall/early winter. Foliage may persist as evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on climate. Plant goes dormant in winter zones.

Reduce watering; do not fertilize; cut back dead stems in late winter or early spring; ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Black-eyed Susan Coreopsis Salvia Ornamental grasses Coneflower Daylily Russian Sage Sedum

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring consistently wet soil Aggressive spreaders like Mint Very tall plants that shade it out

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe; improve air circulation

  • Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; remove affected plants; improve soil with perlite or sand

  • and

    Hand-pick; use copper tape barriers; apply diatomaceous earth; use slug baits if necessary

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or neem oil at first sign

Uses

🍳

Ornamental for floral arrangements

Culinary

Stokes' Aster Colorwheel flowers are prized for fresh and dried floral arrangements due to their unique bi-color blooms and long vase life of 7-10 days. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, making this cultivar valuable for pollinator gardens and ecological landscapes. [source]

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Garden design and color

Household

The striking purple-blue and yellow color combination makes Colorwheel an excellent focal point in borders, containers, and mixed perennial gardens. [source]

🎨

Dried flower crafts

Craft

Flowers can be air-dried for use in wreaths, dried arrangements, and craft projects while retaining vibrant color and unique form. [source]

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers for arrangements when blooms are fully open but before centers become too prominent, typically early to mid-morning. Use sharp scissors and cut stems 6-12 inches long. Remove lower leaves below the waterline. Deadheading spent blooms extends the flowering season significantly.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Stokes' Aster is native to the southeastern United States and was named after Jonathan Stokes, an 18th-century English botanist.
  • 🌱 The 'Colorwheel' cultivar name perfectly describes its blooms—the concentric rings of purple-blue and yellow truly resemble a color wheel.
  • 🌱 Unlike many perennials, Stokes' Aster is semi-evergreen and maintains attractive foliage year-round in milder climates, providing winter interest in gardens.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Crown Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Perennial True Leaves
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