2 named cultivars

perennialN. America Native

Boltonia

The Story

Plant Bio

Boltonia asteroides, false aster, is an upright clumping perennial native to eastern North America, reaching three to five feet. Narrow grey-green leaves up to five inches long clothe the stems, and dense panicles of small white to pale pink daisies with yellow centres smother the plant from August into October.

The flower count is extraordinary — a mature clump carries hundreds of blooms at once and reads as a white cloud rather than as individual daisies. It looks much like an aster but is a distinct genus, and it is notably more mildew-resistant than the asters it resembles, which is much of its garden value.

Uses & Benefits:

Clouds of small white daisies over grey-green foliage through autumn.

Tolerates wet ground and occasional flooding, and resists the mildew that spoils many asters.

Late nectar for butterflies and pollinators; seed for songbirds into winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

48 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate to high

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Eastern North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, average soil.
Choose full sun for upright stems.
Allow two to three feet of width.
Keep the soil moist; it tolerates occasional flooding.
Cut back by a third in early summer to limit height.
Divide every three years to keep clumps vigorous.

Pro Tip

Pinch it back in early June — at five feet it flops in rich soil, and the cut costs nothing in flower.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in full sun and moist soil ☀️
Cut back by a third in early summer ✂️
Divide every three years 🌱
Leave seed heads for winter birds 🐦

Don't

Plant in dry soil ❌
Feed it richly; growth gets lax ❌
Crowd it against other tall perennials ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Back of a late-season borderRain garden and damp meadowPollinator planting

Companion Plants

New England Aster Joe Pye Weed Switchgrass Goldenrod Swamp Milkweed

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Boltonia questions

What zones can Boltonia grow in?

Boltonia is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Boltonia deer resistant?

Yes — Boltonia is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Boltonia bloom?

Boltonia typically blooms in late summer to fall through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Boltonia need full sun?

Boltonia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.