Fall asters are a treat. They mesh very well with fall foliage. They are part of the fall picture. Many people plant non native mums for fall color. They are okay but our fall asters are spectacular and Flat-topped White Aster is absolutely stunning. The ray flowers are pure white and stand out even from a great distance. The disk flowers (the center of the aster) are yellow and fade to a cream color as they age. This is a host plant for the Harris’ Checkerspot butterfly. This plant also provides pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies beetles and other insects. Birds such as Gold finch eat the seed. Flat-topped white Aster provides much more than beauty.

Flat-topped White Aster  is usually a slender plant. The stem is purplish and the leaves are long slender and dark green. This plant is easily grown from seed. We put the seeds in flats in the fall and leave them outside over the winter. They germinate reliably in the spring. 

The plants grows 3 to 5 feet tall so it works well with other asters, Joe Pye Weed, Common Boneset, and Blue Vervain. It grows best in soil that is moist to wet but will adapt to drier soils. You can grow Flat-topped White Aster in part shade or full sun. It makes an excellent cut flower to add to your fall vases.