Stokesia 'Mel's Blue' ®

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Stokesia 'Mel’s Blue'® thrives in full sun. It needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to produce strong stems and abundant flowers. In very hot climates, some light afternoon shade is tolerated.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil. It performs well in sandy or loamy soils. Avoid heavy clay or wet areas—good drainage is essential, particularly in winter.

• Moisture Needs: Requires moderate watering. Keep soil lightly moist during establishment, then water only during extended dry spells. Overwatering or soggy conditions can lead to root rot.

• Planting Time: Plant in spring or early autumn for best results. Planting in spring allows the plant to establish before flowering season, while autumn planting suits mild winter areas.

• Spacing: Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for mature spread and airflow between plants, which helps prevent mildew or fungal issues.

• Positioning Tips: Ideal for sunny borders, wildlife gardens, rock gardens, and pollinator beds. It is also an excellent choice for containers and cut flower gardens.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering: Water young plants regularly to establish roots. Once established, Stokesia is drought-tolerant and generally low maintenance. Avoid overhead watering to help keep foliage healthy.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring when new growth emerges. A light feeding again after the first flush of blooms can encourage a second round of flowering.

• Mulching: Add a thin mulch layer in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use gravel or bark, and avoid piling mulch near the crown to prevent rot.

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to extend the blooming season and keep the plant tidy. This may also encourage additional flowering later in the season.

• Pruning and Cleanup: Cut back spent flowering stems in late summer. In autumn, trim back foliage once it begins to die down naturally. Clean up dead plant material to reduce disease risk.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally pest-free and disease-resistant. Occasionally, root rot may occur in poorly drained soils. Ensure airflow and proper spacing.

• Winter Care: Hardy in USDA Zones 5–9 (UK H5). In colder regions, apply a layer of dry mulch or straw in late autumn to protect the crown during hard frosts. Do not allow soil to become waterlogged over winter.

Flowering, Foliage, and Garden Uses

• Flowers: Produces large, fringed blue-violet blooms resembling cornflowers or asters, with a central cushion-like eye. Flowers appear from early to late summer, often lasting into early autumn with good care.

• Foliage: Features narrow, lance-shaped, evergreen leaves forming a tidy basal rosette. The dark green foliage provides year-round texture and structure, particularly in mild climates.

• Size and Habit: Forms a compact, clump-forming mound 12–18 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide. Ideal for the front of borders or massed in small drifts.

• Pollinator Friendly: Highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and hoverflies, making it a great plant for supporting pollinators through summer.

• Cut Flowers: Blooms are long-lasting in floral arrangements. Cut when just opening for best vase life.

• Container Use: Performs well in pots and raised beds with good drainage. Choose a gritty or loam-based compost and water regularly in hot weather.

• Design Combinations: Pairs well with echinacea, rudbeckia, gaillardia, coreopsis, salvia, and ornamental grasses for a bold, sunny border.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.