Landscaping Design

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 Boltons 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 North Dakota to New Jersey; south to Texas to Florida ). Plants 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.

King Kong

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


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.

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 profuse, aster-like, white flowers are borne late summer into early autumn.

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


Boltonia decurrens ( Winged False Aster )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 4 feet, that is native to 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 dwarf form with bluish flowers.

* photo taken during June 2012 in Columbia, MD