It's Michaelmas daisies for Autumn color

Michaelmas is the seasonal name for days around Saint Michael's Day, September 29th. Michaelmas daisies are actually asters, specifically Aster noaster nova-belgi variety belgii or New York asters, which bloom prolifically along roadsides and in farmlands in New York upstate in autumn. It's an underused garden flower, so make a space for them in your landscape Aster noaster 'nova-belgii'va-belgii (New York Aster, Michaelmas Daisy): These asters are similar to their New England cousins but shorter with smooth toothed leaves. Great cut flowers September to October. Growing 3-4’ high. Hardy to zones 3-9. Common varieties include ‘Purple Viking’ -dark purple flowers, ‘Loke Viking ’- hot pink, ‘Coombe Violet’ - lavender and ‘Margrethe Viking’ - white. Available from Portland Nursery portlandnursery.com

Photo courtesy Portland Nursery