Stiff Aster (Ionactis linariifolia)
Ionactis linariifolia

Deciduous Perennial in the Asteraceae Family

Ionactis linariifolia is a native perennial wildflower found throughout the eastern and central United States. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and is closely related to asters.

Key features of Ionactis linariifolia include:

Foliage: The linear, grass-like leaves are dark green in color and have a somewhat succulent, waxy texture.

Flowers: From midsummer to fall, flaxleaf whitetop produces small, daisy-like flower heads. Each composite flower has white ray petals surrounding a central yellow disk.

Growth Habit: This perennial forms a low-growing, spreading clump typically 1-2 feet tall and wide. It spreads slowly by rhizomes to form colonies.

Cultural Needs: Ionactis linariifolia prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. It is drought-tolerant once established.

Habitat: In the wild, flaxleaf whitetop is found growing in dry, open areas like prairies, barrens, and dunes.

Landscape Use: This native wildflower is well-suited for rock gardens, meadows, native plant gardens, and xeriscaping. Its compact habit makes it adaptable to containers as well.

Wildlife Value: The nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths. The foliage also serves as a larval host for certain moth species.

Overall, Ionactis linariifolia is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance perennial that adds delicate texture and late-season color to naturalistic garden settings. Its adaptability and wildlife benefits make it a great choice for sustainable landscaping.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 6 - 12 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 2a - 9b (Usually hardy to -50° F)
Tags Deciduous, Dry, Full Sun, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall
Bloom Period September to October
Flower Color Blue-Violet To Purple With Yellow Centers
 

More Info from Experts
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!