Flat top aster (Doellingeria umbellata), proposed by Akène
🌿 A majestic, floriferous aster, essential for biodiversity 🌿
The umbellate aster is one of the most imposing asters in Quebec , reaching up to 1.75 meters in height . It is distinguished by its dense clusters of white flowers with golden hearts , which bloom from July to September and attract a multitude of pollinators , such as butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects .
🌱 Adapted to humid and well-drained environments , this aster grows naturally along shorelines, in wetlands and at the edges of forests . It stabilizes soils thanks to its dense root network , thus helping to prevent erosion while enriching local biodiversity.
💡 Tip: The umbel aster tends to become bare at the base . It is therefore preferable to grow it in a clump or accompanied by other plants to hide the lower stems .
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : July to September
📏 Height : 175 cm
🌱 Spacing : 60 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Silty to clayey
💧 Soil moisture content : Medium to moist
🦌 Deer Resistance : High
📦 Seeds per packet : 300
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : 3 mm
🌡 Germination time : 15 to 20 days
❄️ Cold stratification : 60 days
⚡ Scarification : Not required
🔹 Indoor method (recommended for optimal germination) :
1️⃣ Mix the seeds with three parts moist vermiculite and place them in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for 60 days .
2️⃣ After stratification, sow the seeds 3 mm deep in light, well-drained potting soil.
3️⃣ Maintain constant humidity until germination (15 to 20 days).
4️⃣ Transplant into the garden after the last frosts.
🔹 Outdoor method :
🌿 Sow directly in the fall for natural stratification during the winter.
💧 Ensure moist soil until seedlings are established .
🌱 Pinch out young stems early in the season to encourage denser growth and avoid the need for staking .
Ecological roles and utilities
🐝 A refuge for pollinators : Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects .
🐦 A resource for wildlife : Its seeds feed certain birds in the fall.
🌾 A soil stabilizer : Ideal for banks, ditches and areas prone to erosion .
🌸 A late nectar supply : Essential for pollinators at a time when other flowers are scarce.
Uses in landscaping
🌿 Superb in flowerbeds or in naturalistic gardens .
💦 Perfect for wetlands and rain gardens .
🌸 Ideal in the background of flowerbeds thanks to its impressive height .
Companion plants
🌿 Joe Pye Weed, Goldenrod, Blue Flag, Swamp Milkweed
Enemy plants
🌿 None known
Why grow the umbel aster?
🌸 A native aster with large clusters of white flowers
🐝 A major ecological asset for pollinators
🌾 An ideal plant for wet soils and bank stabilization
🦌 Deer resistant and low maintenance
🌿 Add the Umbellate Aster to your garden for vibrant blooms and thriving biodiversity!
