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Narrowleaf Whitetop Aster Sericocarpus linifolius

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Aster solidagineus
Phonetic Spelling
ser'i-ko-kār'pus lin-ih-FOH-lee-us
Description

Narrowleaf whitetop aster is a native wildflower that blooms all summer into fall.  It grows in dry woodlands and barrens, clearings and meadows in dry to moist sandy, clay ang gravelly soils. It grows erect with a flat-topped cluster of small white ray flowers surrounding the tubular disc flowers. As the name suggests, the leaves are very narrow. It will grow up to 2 feet tall and form clumps up to 10 inches wide. It is drought tolerant, low maintenance and attracts pollinators.

Plant in full to partial sun in any well-drained soil. It has a tidy growth habit so will work well in a pollinator garden in the front to middle of the border. It can also be used in a meadow or naturalized setting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#white flowers#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#native wildflower#clumping#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bee friendly#erect#pollinator garden#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#white flowers#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#native wildflower#clumping#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bee friendly#erect#pollinator garden#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sericocarpus
    Species:
    linifolius
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern to mid west USA
    Distribution:
    AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , WV
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The achene has a pappus of white bristles
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    White ray flowers surround the tubular center disc flowers July to Oct. Each flower head consists of 5 to 15 disk flowers and 2 to 6 ray flowers and occur in flat-topped clusters
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are, simple, alternate, sessile and very slender, 1-2 inches long. Basal leaves wither by bloom time.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Upright green smooth stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought