For me, the sight of Michaelmas daisies enlivening flower borders and pots is a vivid snapshot of this particular point in autumn. A harvest time treat of flowers that is less showy than dahlias but just as enjoyable.
What is Michaelmas?
It is a Christian festival, but similar celebrations are found in other religions. The link between the feast and the flower is traditional – or rather traditions that have to do with when we were a more rural economy.
Now taking place on September 29th, it was one of the ‘Quarter Days’ when rents fell due, leases began and ended and so on. In an age when most people were illiterate, making such legal events follow important dates in the farming and Church calendars made sense.
The Michaelmas folklore and traditions have much to do with the end of harvest and the turning of the seasons. But Asters are a range of flowers of interest to gardeners who’d like a colourful display whether their garden is rural or urban.
Michaelmas Daisies
Michaelmas Daisies are still also known by the Botanical Latin name of Aster. The name ‘aster’ is from the Greek for star, and refers to the shape of the flower heads.
A stalwart of the late summer and autumn flower border, Asters have daisy like blooms. These open shaped flowers are loved by many pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies.
With a colour choice of pink, purple, blue and white they are rightly popular in cottage garden planting designs. But some cultivars are remarkably effective as part of prairie style planting schemes with ornamental grasses, Rudbeckia and vivid yellow Heleniums.
When is an Aster an Aster?
The division into different genera of the European and North American plants which we know as Asters came about in the 1990s. Yep, that long ago! Scientific research showed that reclassification made better botanical sense, although all are still part of Asteraceae family. But this doesn’t prevent us lowly gardeners (and many horticulturists) from referring to them all as Asters and Michaelmas daisies.
However, having Asters reclassified into their correct family groups with distinctive botanical names, is actually helpful to us when choosing which plant is best for our gardens and a particular location in it. Previously, the genus contained plants from many parts of the world including those that had very little in common with each other. Arguably that was more confusing than the new classifications as we could end up (and probably did!) with unsuitably placed plants.
The genus names are Aster, Callistephus, Eurybia, Kalimeris, Symphyotrichum. And it is the last one which is likely to be affecting most of us in the UK, as it contains two popular types of Michaelmas Daisies. These are Aster novae-angliae, now called Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, common name New England Asters and Aster novi-belgii, now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, but again the common name of New York Asters remains.
New England Asters
New York Asters
Are Asters native to the UK?
The only British native is Aster tripolium, now known as Tripoleum pannonicum, synonym Aster pannonicus. This plant is commonly called sea aster or seashore aster as it is found in estuaries and salt marshes. If you’re struggling to find autumn flowering plants for a seaside garden, this little daisy might fit the bill. The RHS give two suppliers.
Why this flower for Michaelmas?
The old rhyme:
“The Michaelmas Daisies, among dede weeds,
Bloom for St Michael’s valorous deeds.
And seems the last of flowers that stood,
Till the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude.”
Reminds us of the fact that in earlier times in Britain and Northern Europe there were not many flowers still blooming in mid October.
Originally Michaelmas Day fell on October 11th. When Britain changed from using the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1752 to put us in line with Europe (who had used it since 1582) there were eleven days difference. We jumped forward, ‘losing’ days and the timings of saints days, important fairs and so on changed.
St Michael, for whom Michaelmas Daisy is named, is celebrated as a protector from darkness and evil. The Michaelmas daisies were seen as flowers joining in the battle by blooming through autumn and pushing winter away.
The New England Asters and New York Asters were introduced to Britain from the 1600s and became our popular late summer – late autumn garden flower.
Nowadays we have a great many flowers as well as the Michaelmas daisy to keep our gardens floriferous not only through autumn but during winter too. (Check out Plews Potting Shed for some inspiration for your autumn and winter gardens). But this is a fairly recent development in the UK and Northern Europe, of which more shall be told in another blog.
Growing Asters – a Few Tips
Most asters are fairly tolerant of soils and shade, certainly dappled shade, but do flower better with a few hours of direct sun. Mildew can be a problem with many asters, so reduce the likelihood by keeping them well watered, especially if you’re growing them in containers where they’re more likely to dry out. They’re not generally a drought tolerant plant.
The open flowers, daisy-like are good for pollinators. And as most asters are herbaceous perennials, they’ll last you for years, and are pretty easy maintenance if planted in the right place to begin with.
Flower colours may be dark purple through to a pale lilac, pink or white and heights vary from 20cm to 2m. This means you have plenty of choices available for mixed ornamental borders, rock gardens, woodland edge, prairie-style, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, patios, balconies and container gardens.
NB Callistephus chinensis are annual asters, very pretty and worthwhile growing from seed for a cutting garden, pots or mixed border.
and finally…
If you have Michaelmas daisies growing in your flower borders, then cut some to make the ideal table decoration. An in-your-face Dahlia might steal the show, so add some yellow perennial sunflowers to set off the purple asters. Or nip out to the florist for a seasonal bunch of colour.
Whatever you call your Michaelmas Daisies – and let’s be honest, Aster is much easier to say and takes up less room on a plant label! – the main thing is to enjoy growing them in your garden. And if Plews can help you with anything, please do get in touch. For example –
Our Garden Consultancy & Advice Visits may help with some of your issues. Or does your planting need a rethink? Do you have a birthday coming up? Plews bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden make a wonderful and practical gift. You could learn how to grow an orchard of citrus fruits in your conservatory! We help you with both gardening basics and more ‘expert tasks’, depending on what you need. Have a read through this pdf download for info.
For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the autumnal themed articles below. You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.
Feeling nosey? You can have a peek at the progress of my garden renovation, Spitfires and Slow Worms, on Instagram and Facebook
You’ll get to see it in person if you come to the Plews Gardening Workshops Current ones on Eventbrite for you to book into. Follow for updates on topics and dates on Plews website, Instagram, Eventbrite, Facebook
Plus get your local garden club, allotment, WI, U3A or other group to ask me along to give a talk (and bring plants 😉)
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Gardening Tips and Tasks
Harvest Festivals, Autumn Equinox and Your Garden
Why do leaves fall? And other Autumn Gardening Questions
Autumn Gardening Tasks – Herbaceous Perennials
Gardening Inspo and Ideas
Autumn Borders – Colourful Planting Ideas
Grow Your Own Thanksgiving Feast
6 Orange Flowers for the Autumn Equinox
