Boltonia

A small genus of perennials, closely related to the Asters.
Easy to grow and also easy to propagate via division every 2 years during late autumn.

Boltonia asteroides ( White Boltonia )
Also called Bolton's Aster and False Starwort. A rapid spreading perennial, reaching up to 8 x 6 ( rarely over 5 x 4 ) feet, that is native to North America ( from southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba to southern Wisconsin to southeast Michigan to to Harrisburg, PA to New Jersey; south to central Texas to far northern Florida ). In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was locally common on the Lake Erie islands as well as the Ohio shore during the 1800s. On the Ohio shore, it was mostly found on beaches. t is endangered in SK, MB, MI, PA, MD & DE. Threatened in OH, VA & GA. IPlants can be sheared back to 2 feet during June for a more compact habit. A great plant for the back of the border and looks great combined with tall blue or purple flowering Asters.
The attractive leaves, up to 6 ( typically closer to 4 ) inches in length, are healthy gray-green.
These plants are covered in clouds of small, white, starry daisies, up to 1 inch across, borne on panicles from late summer to mid autumn. The flowers do withstand light frosts.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun or partial shade on just about any well drained soil but preferring fertile, light and moist. Easy to grow, it is tolerant of heat, humidity, drought, salt, temporary flooding and are not eaten by deer. Plants may be prone to powdery mildew and rust in humid conditions, otherwise they are not generally bothered by pests or disease. Older clumps can be divided during autumn or early spring.

* photo taken on Oct 1 2014 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken @ U.S. Botanical Garden, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photos taken on Oct 21 2014 @ U.S. Botanical Gardens, Washington, DC

* photo taken on July 2 2019 @ Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, Laurel, MD

* photo taken on Oct 26 2022 in Columbia, MD

* historic archive photos

'Nana'
Dwarf in habit, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 4 feet, with pink-lilac flowers borne late summer into early autumn.

'Pink Beauty'
Reaches a maximum height of 8 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, with pink flowers borne late summer to mid autumn. The gray-green foliage is mildew-resistant.
Looks great with dark evergreens as a background.

* photo taken on Oct 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 13 2016 in Columbia, MD

'Snowbank'
Compact, reaching up to 7 x 7 ( rarely over 4 ) feet and does not flop over in high winds.
The glaucous-blue foliage is very mildew resistant.
The very abundant, aster-like, white flowers are borne late summer into early autumn.

* photos taken on Sep 15 2013 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on Sep 10 2014 in Mt Airy, MD

Boltonia decurrens ( Winged False Aster )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 4 feet, that is native to Iowa, Missouri and Illinois where it is endangered.
The leaves are larger and more numerous than B. asteroides, and the white flowers, up to 1 inch across are bonre in huge masses. The flowers are borne during mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

* photo of unknown internet source


Boltonia latisquama ( Violet Boltonia )
Reaches a maximum height of 8 feet with pinkish-purple, starry flowers borne in panicles during summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8

* photo of unknown internet source


'Jim Crockett'
A dense and moderately upright form, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet.
The foliage is deep green.
The abundant, lavender-blue flowers appear late summer into early autumn.

* photo taken during June 2012 in Columbia, MD