Image of Doellingeria umbellata
Source: Sundaura Alford-Purvis
image of Flowering plant
Doellingeria umbellata
Flat-topped White Aster
Aster à ombelles

Obsolete Names

parasol whitetop
tall flat-topped white aster
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Wet
We currently accept seeds for this plant
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 that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
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
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
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
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Doellingeria umbellata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

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

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Doellingeria umbellata

  • Chlosyne harrisii (Harris Checkerspot)

Specialized Bees Supported by Doellingeria umbellata

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

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

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (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 mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one 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.