Plant Profile: Boltonia decurrens

The Decurrent False Aster is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, indigenous to a limited region in Illinois and Missouri, and is safeguarded under the Endangered Species Act. This species thrives in floodplains, wetlands, and the moist lowlands adjacent to the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. While it is primarily found in these specific areas, gardeners from other regions can acquire seeds for cultivation. The plant thrives with intermittent flooding but does not tolerate prolonged standing water, and it can grow quite tall, often necessitating staking or other forms of support.

Typically, the Decurrent False Aster develops into a clump that reaches heights of 4 to 6 feet, featuring upright branching stems. Its flowers, resembling daisies, bloom profusely in August and September, showcasing pale pink or purple-tinged petals surrounding a yellow center disk, with each flower measuring up to 1 inch in diameter.

This plant favors full sunlight, wet to moist environments, and rich soil composed of loam, clay-loam, or silty materials. It can endure drier conditions in garden settings, provided it receives adequate watering during dry spells. For optimal growth, it is recommended to trim the plant back by one-third in the spring.

In terms of care, the Decurrent False Aster may require support due to its height, and it can be susceptible to powdery mildew.