Doellingeria umbellata (Flat-Topped White Aster)

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.