One of the best herbaceous perennials for attracting butterflies in North Carolina. This 1' tall southeastern US native with lax habit and huge blue flowers. It is very easy to grow and has a long blooming period in summer. Though native only as far north as southern Georgia (reputedly southern SC, but evidence is lacking), it is hardy to zone 5. Stokesia is a monotypic genus - there is only a single species. The genus, named after Dr. Jonathan Stokes, is pronounced STOKES-ee-uh.

Carroll Co., VA 7/3/05.

The violet-tinged blue flowers are up to 2" across.

It grows very well in this zone 6b garden in the Blue Ridge Moutains of Virginia, and will occasionally reseed, though it shows no tendency towards invasiveness.

Carroll Co., VA 7/3/05.