Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soils including moderately dry ones. Plants grown in part shade or in rich, moist soils tend to flop and need support. Plants grown in drier soils will grow shorter, but often less vigorously with inferior flowering. If support becomes an issue, plant stems may be pinched or cut back by 1/3, in somewhat the same way as with many asters, in late spring to early summer to reduce plant height and minimize support needs. Slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes. Easily grown from seed.
'Snowbank' does not come true from seed and should be divided in spring to propagate.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Boltonia asteroides, commonly called false chamomile or false aster, is a rhizomatous perennial which typically grows to 5-6’ tall on erect, usually branching stems clad with alternate, linear, lance-shaped, stalkless, gray-green leaves (to 5” long). Tiny, daisy-like flowers (to 3/4” diameter) in loose panicles typically cover this aster-like plant with a profuse bloom from late summer to early fall (August-September). Flowers typically have white rays with yellow center disks, but sometimes the rays are pink-tinged, violet or purple. Fruits are seed-like achenes. This boltonia is native to wet prairies, wet meadows, marshes, stream banks and pond peripheries in eastern and central North America from North Dakota to Maine south to Florida and Texas plus Manitoba and Saskatchewan with disjunct populations in Oregon and Idaho.
Var. latisquama features slightly larger flower heads (to 1” across) which bloom in denser inflorescences. Ray flowers are violet blue. Native to the central U.S. from North Dakota to Wisconsin south to Oklahoma and Arkansas with a disjunct population in New England.
Genus name honors James Bolton (1735-1799), English botanist.
Specific epithet means resembling asters in obvious reference to flower similarity.
'Snowbank' is noted for its compact habit (typically grows 3-4' tall as opposed to the species which grows 5-6' tall). Features linear, lance-shaped, grayish-green leaves (to 5" long) on erect, usually branching stems and tiny, pure white, 3/4" daisies (white rays with yellow center disks) in loose panicles which cover this aster-like plant with a profuse bloom from late summer to early autumn. 'Snowbank' is an introduction of the New England Wild Flower Society.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Taller plants may need support. Susceptible to powdery mildew.
Uses
Naturalized areas, cottage gardens or native plant gardens. May be used in border backgrounds, however species plants are somewhat weedy and several varieties and cultivars might be better border selections.
'Snowbank' is a smaller growing cultivar.