Stokesia 'Divinity White' produces elegant aster like white flowers with finely fringed petals and pale yellow centers that appear over a compact mound of deep green foliage. This cultivar is noted for its dense flowering habit and extended bloom season, thriving in sunny well drained locations where its pristine blossoms can brighten mixed perennial beds and borders.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Early summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained sandy or loamy soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; water regularly during dry spells
Deer Resistance: Unpalatable to deer due to coarse foliage and bitter taste
Native Status
Stokesia laevis, the parent species of 'Divinity White', is native to the southeastern United States. While this cultivar is a garden selection it maintains many attributes of the native wildflower, including pollinator support and regional adaptability.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Highly attractive to native bumblebees, leafcutter bees, and honeybees drawn to the abundant pollen and nectar.
Butterflies
- Visited by summer butterflies such as Painted Ladies, Swallowtails, and Monarchs for its flat easy landing pads and reliable nectar source.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports predatory insects including lady beetles and lacewings which feed on pests like aphids and mites in surrounding plantings.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to encourage airflow and prevent fungal buildup in humid conditions.
Landscape Placement:
- Excellent for sunny borders, cottage gardens, and native-style plantings where a low, long blooming white flower is needed for contrast or cohesion.
Companion Plants
- Erigeron karvinskianus (Santa Barbara Daisy) - Cascading habit and tiny white daisies weave among upright stems for a romantic texture pairing.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' - Soft yellow daisy flowers contrast beautifully with the pure white blooms and echo a similar growth habit.
- Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) - Purple globe like blooms emerge in clumps and attract beneficial pollinators near the base of taller plants.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Dark purple flower spikes add vertical dimension and draw pollinators complementing Stokesia’s white tones.
- Veronica spicata 'Icicle' - Spires of white flowers harmonize with Stokesia's bloom shape while adding structural contrast.