Bluestone is a dwarf cultivar of the native Stokes' aster, reaching only 10 to 12 inches at its maximum, and that restrained scale is precisely its appeal. The bluish-purple flowers arrive in midsummer and carry a faint, pleasant fragrance that the larger cultivars typically lack, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds to a planting that takes up very little horizontal space. Like its relatives, the foliage forms a low rosette that adds winter interest after bloom season ends.

It grows well in moist soil and tolerates occasionally wet conditions, which makes it a natural fit for the margins of water gardens and ponds, where its compact form holds the edge without overwhelming nearby plantings. Full sun to partial shade suits it, and a neutral to acidic pH in well-drained soil covers most situations. Drought tolerance, deer resistance, and an absence of serious pest or disease problems round out its credentials. Because Bluestone does not self-seed, propagation is by division or seed, and divisions can be taken in either spring or fall. Plant it at the front of a border or in small groups where its scale and color can read clearly.