Boltonia

( bol - TOH - nee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennial needs full sun to light shade and regular water. Best when planted in clusters at the middle or back of planter beds, these are native to the Eastern United States and bear yellow-centered white to blue small daisies. They can reach 6 feet or more in height and 3 feet wide if given adequate water, and grow from rhizome roots. Plant Boltonia flowers in rain gardens, pollinator or native gardens, cottage-style landscapes and informal gardens, or as members of mixed beds or borders. They can also do well in containers.

Boltonia Species and Varietals

The small genus Boltonia is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 7 species. These flowers grow best in zones 1-24. ​To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Boltonia apalachicolensis (Appalachicola Doll's Daisy)
This perennial species is native to North America. These plants reach 72 inches tall, and have thin, cascading stems that support white daisy flowers with yellow centers. These plants are considered endangered in their native range due to habitat loss.
Botonia asteroides (Boltonia asteroides var. glastifolia) (White Doll's Daisy, False Chamomile, False Aster)
This perennial species is native to the United States and Canada, and reaches between 16 and 78 inches tall. These are cultivated as ornamental plants, and are popular additions to cottage or informal gardens. Varieties are listed and described below:
'Pink Beauty'
With pink flowers, to between 3 and 4 feet tall at maturity.
'Snowbank'
To 5 feet tall with a more upright habit than the species. Flowers are larger and whiter.
'Jim Crockett'
Gets to 21 inches tall and 15 inches wide; blooms are lavender.
'Nally's Lime Dot'
​This cultivar produces flowers with no petals, and green-blue foliage. To between 48 and 72 in. tall.

Boltonia caroliniana (Carolina Doll's Daisy)
This species is found only in the southeastern United States, and takes the form of a perennial herb up to 80 inches tall. These plants produce profuse shows of daisies, and has a generally pleasing bushy habit.

Boltonia decurrens (Decurrent False Aster, Claspingleaf Doll's Daisy)
These floodplain flowers are native to areas along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and are considered endangered due to habitat destruction in their native range. These are bushy, perennial herbs that produce great shows of white daisy flowers in spring and summertime. These flowers can thrive and produce seeds even when their surroundings are flooded. 

Boltonia diffusa (Smallhead Doll's Daisy)
This species, native to North America, is a small perennial that reaches just 8 inches tall, and produces white to lavender daisy flowers in spring and summertime.

Boltonia latureana
This species is native to China, Japan, Korea and Russia. Flowers are lavender-blue to purple with yellow centers, and bloom profusely in spring and summer. Plants reach up to 40 inches tall at maturity.

Boltonia montana (Mountain Doll's Daisy)
These plants are found only in the eastern central United States, mainly in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. They are becoming extinct in their native range though are not considered endangered, and have pink to lavender flowers that bloom profusely in spring and summertime. Flower centers are yellow.

Caring for Boltonia

Plant Boltonia in full sun exposure in well-draining soil. These daisies should receive between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best performance and flowering. Boltonias can tolerate a wide range of soils, as long as they are well draining with a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic).  If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the flowering and active growing seasons. Water in the morning, and avoid watering from overhead, as this can cause issues with mildews and other fungi. Once established, these plants can tolerate short periods of drought.

Provide plants grown in particularly warm climates with some protection from the intense rays of the late afternoon sun. If growing in a frost-prone area, take proper precautions to protect these plants during times of freezing temperatures by mulching around the base of the plant and possibly covering with frost cloth if necessary to carry it over the cold season. Fertilize plants yearly by applying organic compost around their base after pulling back mulch. Work compost into the soil, water it in a bit, and then replace mulch. These flowers are not heavy feeders, and will not require additional fertilizer to grow well. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms to pop, and pinch back leggy growth to promote bushier growth and increased flowering. If plants are becoming floppy or leggy towards the end of springtime, cut them back by about a third to encourage a more bushy, sturdy growth habit. Divide plants every 2-4 years to encourage a healthy growth pattern and contain their spread (for instructions on how to divide these plants, see the Propagation section below).

Propagation

Boltonia plants can be propagated by using cuttings, through division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division methods. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Boltonia, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Boltonia by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Boltonia by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on Boltonia plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Boltonia seeds need to be cold-stratified in order to germinate. This can be accomplished by filling a plastic bag or other sealable container with moistened peat moss or sand, and placing the seeds within the substrate. Place the container/bag in the refrigerator for 60 days. After this period has passed, remove the seeds.
  4. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, and non-viable seeds will float to the top. You can discard any seeds that float.
  5. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds on top of the soil of the seed tray, and sprinkle soil over them. Water with your spray bottle, taking care to not dislodge any of the small seeds. Place your tray in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between 3 and 4 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  6. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
 
Propagating Boltonia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every two to four years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagation for optimal plant health. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section with eyes.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided rhizomes about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
  4. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout the following growing season.
Boltonia seeds are typically somewhat papery and light brown to tan in color.
Boltonia seeds are quite small, seen here in comparison to a dime.

Problems and Pests

Boltonia plants are typically not susceptible to many pests or diseases in the landscape, though they can suffer from time to time from:
  • Powdery Mildew
For more information about this issue, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Here, Boltonia is grown behind lower-growing flowers.
These plants produce flowers with thin, delicate petals and golden yellow centers.
Here, Threadleaf Bluestar is planted next to Stonecrop and a blue-flowering variety of Boltonia.
Boltonia creates an inviting entryway for visitors.
Some species in this genus are native to the United States.
Branched infloresences with thin green stems hold daisy-form flowers.

Videos

Learn how these federally threatened plants are being saved.
A growing guide for Boltonia flowers.

Resources

How to Grow Boltonia
Growing Tips for Late Summer to Fall Blooming Boltonia asteroides
​Boltonia asteroides
Wikipedia: Boltonia
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 199, Boltonia asteroides
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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