Snowbank False Aster

Looking for late-season blooms that light up your landscape like snowfall in autumn? The Snowbank False Aster (Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama 'Snowbank') is a cold-hardy cultivar of the native perennial with a brilliant fall display of crisp, white, daisy-like flowers. This beauty bursts into bloom from late summer through early fall, just when most flowers are winding down.

Its finely textured, willow-like foliage and upright habit add elegance, while its profusion of flowers brings the pollinators flying! Its strong, slender stems are topped with clouds of 1-inch wide blooms! The soft green foliage forms a dense mound that adds fine texture to the late-season garden.

Though called a 'False Aster', Boltonia isn’t a True Aster; it simply mimics their daisy-like flowers. Although it is a member of the Asteraceae family, the genus Boltonia is distinct. Snowbank is a cultivated selection known for being more compact and tidier than the wild type, growing to about 3-4 feet tall and wide.

>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions

Key Features

• Masses of white daisy-like flowers in late summer to fall
• Upright habit, 3-4' tall and wide
• False Asters are similar in appearance to True Asters, but are a different genus
• Attracts butterflies and beneficial pollinators
• Native perennial for Zones 4-9
• Handles heat and humidity, as well as temporary wet spells

Landscaping Uses

Native to central and eastern North America, Boltonia asteroides has long been valued in native prairie restorations and late-season pollinator gardens. This variety doesn’t mind heat or humidity and can even tolerate brief wet spells, unlike True Asters.

This tall, upright perennial adds structure and light to the back of borders or naturalized plantings. Its size makes it a standout in cottage gardens or as a backdrop to fall bloomers.

• Great for back-of-border height
• Pollinator and butterfly gardens
• Meadow and prairie-style gardens and restoration projects
• Rain gardens or moist soil areas
• Long bloom season (August to September) and great for cut flower arrangements
• Late-season bloom companion to Asters, Sedum, Goldenrod, and Grasses

Care & Maintenance

This is an herbaceous perennial, meaning it dies back to the ground each winter and regrows in spring. It's low-maintenance, long-blooming, and handles a variety of soil types. It's highly adaptable, thrives in USDA Zones 4 through 9, and is perfect for regions with moist to average soils.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist to average; tolerates clay and occasional wetness; needs well-drained soil in winter
• Moisture Needs: Moderate moisture, especially when establishing. Use the Finger Test
• Arborist Mulch: Use a 3-4 inch deep layer around the base
• Fertilization Needs: Compost in early spring is usually sufficient; no heavy feeding required
• Pruning Info: Cut back in late fall after frost dieback or in early spring
• Renewal Pruning: Not necessary due to its tidy clumping habit
• Special Perks/Growing Tips:
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Handles heat and humidity

Why 'Snowbank' Is No Flake in the Garden

Snowbank False Aster delivers that rare combo of fall bloom power, native plant toughness, and graceful garden structure. It's a snowstorm of blooms just when the garden needs it most! Order your Snowbank False Aster and start enjoying a flurry of pollinator-friendly flowers from NatureHills.com!