Boltonia asteroides

WHITE BOLTONIA
Family: Asteraceae
Pronounced: bowl-TONE-ee-a as-tur-OIDE-ees

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Country of Origin:
Central and Eastern United States.
Plant Group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 1-24.
USDA zones: 4-9.
Mature size:
Height: 6 feet (2 m).
Width: 3 feet (1 m).
Flowering period:
Late summer until mid-autumn.
Flowering attributes:
White, daisy-like flowers open from light pink buds.
Leaf attributes:
Lance-shaped, blue-green leaves.
Growth habit:
Upright.
Light:
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:
Fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
Side dress with compost or manure. Fertilize in spring with a complete organic fertilizer.
Propagation Methods:
Sow seed and place in cold frame in autumn. | Division in early spring.

 

Rainy Side Notes

Our American native, boltonia, has been used for some time in American gardens, although we have a long-term reputation to live down about our indifference to indigenous plants. "You Americans do not appreciate your wild flowers," English garden author, William Robinson once said during the early 1900s. "We have to bring them over to England and cultivate them for a while before you will notice them."

Well, we noticed. The tall boltonia species is wonderful in the back of the border and definitely not a shy child. Louise B. Wilder called them "the fleecy Boltonias." Its tall, lanky frame covered with numerous white daisy-like flowers in late summer to fall is welcome in the waning garden. It definitely needs staking or it flops over with ease. If you like the floppy look, give it plenty of flop room, as it will sit on top of everything it falls on.

Article: Planning a Colorful Autumn Garden.

Photographed in author's garden.