How to Plant and Grow Boltonia

Boltonia unfurls more blooms than you can count. Covered in tiny white or pink daisy-like flowers from late summer through frost, this perennial brings blooming excitement to the garden when many plants are beginning to shut down after a long growing season. The tall, showy plant with long and narrow blue-green foliage is native to central and eastern North America. It serves as a food source and habitat for wildlife and attracts butterflies.

Where to Plant Boltonia

 Plant boltonia in full sun with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Ideally, the soil should be on the wet side. In its natural habitat, the plant grows in wet meadows, marshes, and along stream banks.

There are many landscaping options for this native perennial: at the back of a flower border, in an easy-care native plant or meadow garden, or among shrubs for a burst of late-season flower color. It is also a great choice for a rain garden.

Combine it with other late summer bloomers such as purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, New England aster, or Japanese anemone. Boltonia looks best when planting in drifts or groups.

How and When to Plant Boltonia

You can plant nursery-grown potted boltonia any time in the spring after the last frost or in the early summer. Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the pot and about the same depth. Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball. Gently tamp down the soil and water it well. Water it regularly during the first growing season to encourage young plants to develop a strong root system.

Space tall varieties 3 to 4 feet apart and dwarf varieties 1 to 2 feet apart.

Boltonia Care Tips

Like most native perennials, boltonia is an easy-care plant.

Light

Boltonia can be planted in partial shade but blooms best in full sun.

Soil and Water

Boltonia is not fussy about soil; it grows in a wide range of soil types, including clay and areas of seasonal flooding. A soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0 is ideal.

Regular watering is important during the first growing season; once the plant is established, it can tolerate periods of drought but blooms better in medium wet to wet soil.

Temperature and Humidity

As a native to a wide geographical area, boltonia is highly adaptable to both hot and cold climates. The plant is winter-hardy and is not bothered by high humidity in the summer.

Fertilizer

Boltonia does not need much fertilizer and too much nitrogen can lead to excessive foliage and no flowers. Usually a one-time application in the spring when the new growth starts is sufficient. Use a bloom-boosting high-phosphorus fertilizer such as 5-10-5, following product label instructions. 

Pruning

The plants, especially the tall varieties, tend to get leggy and need to be staked when it is blooming in the fall. Cut the stems back by one-third of the length in late spring or early summer to encourage a dense, bushier growth.

Potting and Repotting Boltonia

Boltonia can be grown in pots with large drainage holes and well-draining potting soil. Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in the landscape.

In locations with subzero winters, however, growing the plant in pots requires some winterization as the pot exposes the roots to the cold. Keep the plant outdoors during the winter but sink the pot into the ground, wrap it with a thick layer of burlap or bubble wrap, or place the pot in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo.

Pests and Problems 

Boltonia is free of any serious pest and disease issues. It is susceptible to powdery mildew. Boltonia is deer-resistant.

Plants grown in part shade and moist, rich soil tend to develop weak stems and need staking as they mature.

How to Propagate Boltonia

Boltonia can be propagated by division or from seed. Note that the seeds collected from a cultivar won't be true to type so you are better off with seeds from a seed company. The seeds need 60 days of cold stratification. In the late winter, plant seeds in pots filled with potting medium and barely cover them, as they need light to germinate. Leave the pots outdoors and keep the soil evenly moist. Alternatively, you can subject the seeds to a 60-day cold stratification in the fridge at 33 to 38 degrees F before planting them outdoors in the early spring.

Types of Boltonia

 ‘Snowbank’

Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama ‘Snowbank' is a compact cultivar that only grows 3 to 4 feet tall. It has tiny white daisy-like flowers.

‘Pink Beauty’

This tall boltonia cultivar blooms profusely in August and September. The flowers are pale pink with a golden center. 

‘Nana’

Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama 'Nana' is a dwarf cultivar that only grows 2 to 3 feet tall. The flowers are rose-lilac in color with yellow center disks.

Boltonia Companion Plants

 Sedum

A fall-blooming sedum such as 'Autumn Charm' or 'Autumn Joy' is not only a great companion in the landscape but also an addition to the late summer and fall cutting garden. Like boltonia, sedum grows in a wide zone range. Zone 3-10

Goldenrod

Goldenrod begins displaying its yellow blossoms beginning in late summer and continuing into fall. The goldenrod species vary in their growing conditions so make sure to pick a type that is adapted to your location. Zone 4-8

Perennial Sunflower

Unlike annual sunflowers, perennial sunflowers don’t branch. They come in varying shades of gold and a softer lemon yellow and make attractive cutting flowers. Despite their extremely soft and airy texture, these are tough plants that are well-adapted to a wide range of conditions. Zone 4-9

Garden Plans for Boltonia

Perennial Small Garden Plan

In this 9-by-9-foot garden, boltonia is planted alongside six other high-performance perennials. Tuck the garden into a corner or plop it in the middle of the lawn—these plants will put on a show.

Heat-Loving Garden Plan

Dahlias and lilies form the backbone of this garden, complemented by spike speedwell, penstemon, boltonia, and purple moorgrass. The result is a bed full of colorful heat-lovers that are also perfect for cutting.