Image of Doellingeria umbellata
Source: Sundaura Alford-Purvis
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Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Doellingeria umbellata
Flat-topped White Aster
Aster à ombelles

Synonyms

parasol whitetop
tall flat-topped white aster

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: White Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
plant stratification Requires stratification
Landscape Uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Foot Traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic around the plant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Fun Facts

This show stopper is beginner friendly, but be careful. It is very adaptable to soil conditions, and very enthusiastic, spreading by rhizomes and seeds. This is one of the first asters to bloom with a wide, flat, umbrella shaped bloom, up to one foot wide.

A wide variety of pollinators, including long and short tongued bees, wasps, flies and beetles are attracted to this species for its pollen and nectar. Wild turkeys, deer and cotton tails enjoy grazing on the leaves.

Specialized bees supported-Andrena placata(peaceful miner bee), Andrena nubecula(cloudy winged miner bee), Perdita octomaculata(eight-spotted miner bee).

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Doellingeria umbellata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Doellingeria umbellata

Specialized Bees Supported by Doellingeria umbellata

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
  • Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)
  • Thalictrum (Non-Native Meadow Rue)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting:
    • Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.