12 of the best Michaelmas daisies to grow

Violet-blue flower of Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow'

Michaelmas daisies look great in cottage gardens but also work in more contemporary schemes – they associate well with ornamental grasses. They're extremely popular with bees and butterflies, too.

How to grow Michaelmas daisies

Grow Michaelmas daisies in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Cut back after flowering.

We've picked our favourite Michaelmas daisies to grow, below.

Aster tongolensis 'Beggarten'

Unlike many of its taller cousins, Aster tongolensis 'Beggarten' is compact and clump-forming, ideal for the front of a border. It starts flowering in midsummer and will continue until the first frosts.

Height x Spread: 40cm x 60cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Tonga' ('Dasfour') (Island Series)

'Tonga' is one of the 'Island Series' of Michaelmas daisy – a range compact varieties that look good at the front of a border, or in a container.

H x S: 45cm x 30cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Samoa' ('Dasthree') (Island Series)

Another of the compact Island Series, 'Samoa' has purple flowers with bright yellow centres.

H x S: 60cm x 30cm

Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow'

'Little Carlow' is very popular, and deservedly so. It bears masses of vibrant, violet-blue flowers over a long period and is resistant to powdery mildew. Reaching around 90cm tall, it's ideal for the middle of a border.

H x S: 90cm x 45cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Lady in Blue'

Another compact variety, 'Lady in Blue' is ideal for the front of a border, where it will flower for weeks.

H x S: 50cm x 50cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Chatterbox'

This bushy clump-former is another compact variety and is an unusual powder pink.

H x S: 50cm x 50cm

Eurybia x herveyi

Previously known as Aster macrophyllus 'Twilight' or Aster herveyi, Eurybia x herveyi is a popular choice as it's resistant to mildew, which can be a problem on some varieties in damp summers. It has a profusion of flowers in late summer.

H x S: 1m x 50cm

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Calliope'

Formerly known as Aster laevis 'Calliope', this statuesque aster reaches almost 2m tall, making it a plant for the back of a border. The eye-catching black stems give it a contemporary look.

H x S: 1.5m x 50cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Algar's Pride'

'Algar's Pride' is a striking plant that has large single lavender-blue flowers. It usually flowers late in the season. It's a tall variety (around 150cm tall) and is best for the back of the border.

H x S: 1.5m x 60cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Royal Ruby'

The slender stems of 'Royal Ruby' are topped with maroon, almost red flowers with yellow centres. This compact variety is a vibrant choice for the front of a border or a container.

H x S: 50cm x 50cm

Symphyotrichum 'Coombe Fishacre'

'Coombe Fishacre' has dark green foliage and sprays of small lilac-pink daisies. They have unusual brown-pink centres. It’s a medium size, reaching between 50cm to 1m tall.

H x S: 90cm x 50cm

Symphyotrichum 'Ochtendgloren' (pilosum var pringlei hybrid)

Previously known as Aster 'Ochtendgloren' (pringlei hybrid), this tall aster, which reaches around 1.4m high, is a pretty choice for the back of a border.

H x S: 1.5m x 50cm