Decurrent false aster is a rare native perennial that thrives in the wet, disturbed soils where most garden plants struggle. This threatened species, found only along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers in the heartland, grows 4 to 6 feet tall and produces showy blooms from August through September that draw butterflies and other pollinators. Hardy in zones 4 through 8, it tolerates wet soil and moderate maintenance, thriving in full sun where it can naturalize or anchor a rain garden. Unlike its more common cousin, Boltonia asteroides, this variety has distinctive decurrent foliage and lacks rhizomes, giving it a clumping growth habit that sets it apart.
24
Full Sun
Moderate
4-8
72in H x 48in W
—
High
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This is a true native rarity, a threatened species that occurs naturally only along two major Midwestern rivers, making it both ecologically significant and botanically distinct. The decurrent leaf structure and absence of rhizomes distinguish it from similar species. Tall, airy stems adorned with showy flowers from late summer into fall create movement and color when other perennials are fading. It handles wet, muddy bottomlands where flooding is cyclical, thriving in conditions that challenge conventional garden plants.
Decurrent false aster is grown to naturalize native plant communities, particularly in rain gardens and other water-management landscapes where its tolerance for wet soil becomes an asset rather than a challenge. Its pollinator attractiveness and late-season blooms suit it to wildlife gardens and naturalized settings where butterflies and other insects are welcome.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Pinch or cut back stems by one-third in late spring to early summer to reduce plant height and prevent flopping. Taller specimens may require staking or other support structures.
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“Boltonia decurrens exists as a threatened species found only in highly specific habitat along the Illinois River in west central Illinois and the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri just north of St. Louis. It typically inhabits muddy bottomlands subjected to disturbance and cyclical flooding, the very conditions that define its ecological niche. Its rarity and geographic restriction make conservation of this species and its genetic heritage particularly important for regional biodiversity.”