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Doellingeria umbellata (Flat-Topped White Aster)

Parasol Whitetop, Flat-Topped White Aster, Flat-Topped Aster, Parasol Aster, Cornel-Leaf Whitetop, Aster umbellatus

Doellingeria umbellata, Parasol Whitetop, Flat-Topped White Aster, Aster umbellatus, Fall perennials, Fall Flowers, White Asters
Doellingeria umbellata, Parasol Whitetop, Flat-Topped White Aster, Aster umbellatus, Fall perennials, Fall Flowers, White Asters

Doellingeria umbellata (Flat-Topped White Aster) is an upright perennial boasting showy flat-topped clusters of white, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers in late summer to fall. The blossoms attract butterflies and other pollinators. Blooming for 4-8 weeks, the flowers fade to a pleasant greenish-white color for weeks after the peak bloom. are followed by a dry seed (achene) that matures in late fall and is distributed to new locations by wind. The reddish to greenish-yellow unbranched stems are clad with alternate, lance-shaped, medium green leaves, 3-6 in. long (7-15 cm). The attractive foliage remains clean throughout the season. Found in wet sandy sites including prairies, meadows, open woods, thickets, bogs, marshes, savannas and creek banks, Flat-Topped White Aster is easy to grow, low maintenance, drought tolerant, and is not affected by any serious pests or diseases. However, it can spread by underground rhizomes and self-seeding to form dense colonies. Use in groups for best effect around water sites, in naturalized meadows or pollinator gardens.

  • Grows up to 2-5 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun to part shade in sandy loam, moist to occasionally wet, preferably slightly acid soils. Tolerates drought and clay soils.
  • Vital ingredient of late summer and fall native plant gardens, prairies or butterfly gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Usually unpalatable to deer and rabbits.
  • Propagation by seed or division. Divide regularly to prevent the plant to die out in the center.
  • Native to Canada and the eastern and north-central United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 5'
(60cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, North Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Symphyotrichum leave ‘Bluebird’ (Smooth Aster)
Ampelaster carolinianus (Climbing Aster)
Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)
Symphyotrichum chilense (Pacific Aster)
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (White Panicle Aster)
Symphyotrichum pilosum (Hairy Aster)

Recommended Companion Plants

Eupatorium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed)
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan)
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass)
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)

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Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)
Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)
Aster amellus (Italian Aster)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 5'
(60cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, North Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Aster
Guides with
Aster
Not sure which Aster to pick?
Compare Now

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