Whitetop: The Underappreciated Native That Lights Up Late Summer Gardens
If you’re looking for a native perennial that brings clouds of delicate white flowers to your garden just when many other plants are winding down, let me introduce you to whitetop (Doellingeria). This charming North American native might not be the showiest plant on the block, but it’s exactly the kind of reliable, wildlife-friendly workhorse that makes native gardening so rewarding.
What Makes Whitetop Special?
Whitetop is a herbaceous perennial forb – basically a fancy way of saying it’s a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. What sets this plant apart is its timing. While many garden stars are taking their final bows in late summer, whitetop is just getting started, producing masses of small, daisy-like white flowers that can transform an ordinary garden corner into something magical.
As a true North American native, whitetop has deep roots in our continent’s ecological history. It’s naturally found across an impressive range, from the eastern provinces of Canada down through much of the United States, making it a fantastic choice for gardeners who want to support local ecosystems.
Where Does Whitetop Grow Naturally?
This adaptable native has one of the most extensive natural ranges you’ll find among North American wildflowers. Whitetop grows naturally across Canada in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland. In the United States, you can find it thriving from Maine to Florida and from the Atlantic coast all the way to states like Texas, North Dakota, and Nebraska. It even calls the District of Columbia home!
Why Your Garden (and Local Wildlife) Will Love Whitetop
Here’s where whitetop really shines – it’s a late-season pollinator magnet. When monarchs are making their epic journey south and native bees are stocking up for winter, whitetop provides crucial nectar and pollen resources. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for supporting wildlife when they need it most.
From a design perspective, whitetop works beautifully as:
- A background plant in mixed native borders
- Mass plantings in naturalistic gardens
- Prairie and meadow restorations
- Wildlife habitat gardens
- Low-maintenance landscape areas
Growing Whitetop Successfully
One of the best things about working with native plants like whitetop is that they’re generally adapted to local conditions, which translates to less work for you. This hardy perennial typically thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8, making it suitable for most of North America.
Light Requirements: Whitetop is quite flexible, growing well in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, it actually appreciates some afternoon protection.
Soil Needs: This adaptable plant handles a range of soil conditions, from moist to moderately dry. It’s not particularly fussy about soil type, though it tends to perform best in average garden soil with decent drainage.
Water Requirements: Once established, whitetop is relatively drought-tolerant, though it will look its best with consistent moisture during dry spells.
Planting and Care Tips
Getting whitetop established in your garden is refreshingly straightforward:
- Planting: Spring or fall are ideal planting times. Space plants according to your goals – closer together for quicker coverage, further apart if you don’t mind waiting for them to fill in naturally.
- Establishment: Water regularly the first year while roots develop, then step back and let nature take over.
- Maintenance: This is truly a low-maintenance plant. You can deadhead spent flowers if you prefer a tidier look, or leave them for wildlife and winter interest.
- Spreading: Whitetop may spread gradually by underground rhizomes, which is perfect for naturalizing but something to keep in mind for formal garden settings.
Is Whitetop Right for Your Garden?
Whitetop is an excellent choice if you’re looking to:
- Support native wildlife with minimal effort
- Add late-season interest to your landscape
- Create naturalistic plantings
- Establish low-maintenance garden areas
- Connect your garden to the broader ecological community
However, you might want to consider other options if you’re planning a formal garden with strict boundaries, since whitetop’s spreading habit might not fit your vision.
The Bottom Line
Whitetop might not win any flashy flower contests, but it offers something even more valuable – reliable beauty, ecological function, and the satisfaction of growing a plant that truly belongs in your local landscape. In a world of high-maintenance garden divas, sometimes the quiet, dependable native is exactly what your garden (and local wildlife) needs.
Consider adding whitetop to your native plant palette. Your late-summer garden – and the butterflies, bees, and birds that depend on it – will thank you.
