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Parasol Whitetop Doellingeria umbellata

Previously known as:

  • Aster umbellatus
Description

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#white flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#NC native#summer flowers#self-seeding#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#bee friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#white flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#NC native#summer flowers#self-seeding#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#bee friendly#meadow
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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