Flat-Topped White Aster Doellingeria umbellata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster umbellatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- del-ling-JEER-ee-ah um-bel-LAH-tah
- Description
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Flat-Topped White Aster is a native wildflower found in the mountains of NC in moist fields, thickets, and the border of swamps. It can be found from Canada south to FL. The clusters of white composite flowers appear in July-Oct.
This plant prefers a slightly acidic sandy loam that is moist to occasionally wet in full sun to partial shade. Use in groups for best effect around water sites, in naturalized meadows or pollinator gardens. It will naturalize by self-seeding and underground rhizomes.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Doellingeria
- Species:
- umbellatus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host to the Pearly Crescent, Harris Checkerspot. Attracts pollinators.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1/8 inch long achenes with sparse hairs are distributed by the wind
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- .5-.75 in. flower heads in a flattish cluster. 10-15 white petals tinged with purple that tends to curve downward or backwards and surround the central yellow disc flowers. Blooms July-Oct.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 3-6-inch long and .5-1 inch wide lance-shaped or elliptical leaves taper at each end are toothless, short-stalked to stalkless and short-ciliate along their margins. Lower leaves are scale-like and upper leaves uniform in size.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Reddish to greenish-yellow unbranched upright stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
