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- Aster - Flat-Topped (Doellingeria umbellata)
Aster - Flat-Topped (Doellingeria umbellata)
Flat-topped Aster, Doellingeria umbellata, formerly Aster umbellatus, is a perennial, early bloomer in the Aster family, flowering in July with clusters of white petals and yellow center disks. As a plant ages, the color will dull, paling to a yellowish tan. The alternately-attached leaves are simple, rounded, toothless spears with short hairs that add texture. Flat-topped Aster begins to bloom in July, much earlier than most Asters, and is rhizomatous, meaning it spreads by underground rhizomes as well as by seed.
This beautiful plant enjoys wet-to-moist, sandy prairies in full sunlight. A wide variety of pollinators are attracted to the nectar and pollen of the flowers. These species include long- and short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, beetles and butterflies. But, larger animals, like swamp sparrows, wild turkey, white-tailed deer and cottontail rabbits, also enjoy the foliage of the plant so keep it caged in the early years of establishment.
Sun Exposure - Full, Partial
Soil Moisture - Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium
Height - 5 feet
Bloom Time - July, August, September
Bloom Color - Cream
Photo courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery.