You may also like<\/strong><\/p> While some groups, such as the prolific New York asters, are grown for their striking individual flowers or depth of colour, the small-flowered Michaelmas daisy offers a softer approach with a multitude of flowers, arching sprays and interesting foliage<\/a>.<\/p> Highly drought tolerant<\/a> and resistant to mildew, and often able to flower in part shade<\/a>, this distinct group is a welcome addition to the garden.<\/p> Jump to<\/strong><\/p> What are Michaelmas daisies?<\/strong><\/p> In the 1900s, small-flowered Michaelmas daisies formed the backbone of what were called starworts or Michaelmas daisies. With the hardy flower revival and the emergence of a more naturalistic<\/a> style of planting popularised by William Robinson<\/a>, small-flowered asters started to flourish. But as large gardens declined after the First World War, so did the small-flowered asters. Their resurgence came about thanks in part to the rise of interest in flower arranging<\/a> in the 1950s and 1960s. The delicate sprays were perfect for autumn arrangements, but it was hard to find them in florists, so enthusiasts started to grow their own.<\/p> Fast foward to the recent interest in prairie-style planting<\/a>, which has revived the naturalist ideal that suits small-flowered asters. Designer Piet Oudolf<\/a>, a proponent of this style, has used a number of asters in his schemes.<\/p> Small-flowered asters are a versatile group, no matter what form your garden takes. This, combined with new breeding, will likely fuel a further rise in popularity.<\/p> IN BRIEF<\/strong><\/p> Small-flowered Michaelmas daisies flourish in good, humus-rich garden soils and will tolerate and even thrive in poorer soils, as long as they do not dry out too much in hot conditions or get waterlogged in winter. Winter drainage is particularly important. In very hot, dry<\/a> conditions, Symphyotrichum ericoides<\/em> cultivars such as \u2018Blue Star\u2019 are often the toughest. Symphyotrichum cordifolium<\/em> cultivars and hybrids such as \u2018Little Carlow\u2019 enjoy a bit more moisture.<\/p> Good light is important for the best flowering, but many such as \u2018Chieftain\u2019 or Symphyotrichum<\/em> lateriflorum<\/em> will tolerate light, dappled shade \u2013 that is, light, dappled shade<\/a> from deciduous shrubs (not heavy evergreens).<\/p> Division is the easiest way to propagate small-flowered asters. Lift clumps every three to five years in spring, removing any old and woody material, and replanting or potting up the divided sections. This will also improve the health and vigour of the plant.<\/p> Most species and cultivars of small-flowered Michaelmas daisy show good levels of resistance to powdery mildew, but this does vary. In general, those with rougher foliage are less susceptible to mildew than those with very smooth foliage, but in very hot, dry conditions it can appear on some plants. To reduce the risk, apply a good mulch<\/a> in the spring to slow down the rate of water loss and divide the plants on a fairly regular basis. Remove any diseased foliage as soon as you see it to prevent spread.<\/p> While most small-flowered asters are relatively untroubled by pests, it is worth watching out for slugs<\/a> in early spring on young, clump-forming plants that are slow to establish, such as \u2018Photograph\u2019.<\/p> Superb Symphyotrichum<\/em> cordifolium<\/em> hybrid with heart-shaped lower foliage. The relatively large 25mm daisies are an intense lavender<\/a>-blue with yellow centres, held in generous sprays from late September. Will tolerate light shade.<\/p> 1.2m. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 4a-8b.<\/p> The hairy, heart-shaped foliage and stems are dark purple, creating the perfect backdrop for the spires of lilac-purple flowerheads (13mm across). Flowering from early autumn, this has one of the longest flowering seasons.<\/p> 1.3m. RHS H7.<\/p> Arching stems of purple-tinted foliage are interesting throughout the growing season. Tiny (12mm), white flowerheads, with yellow discs that soon turn purple-pink, appear in October. Best in light shade.<\/p> 1.2m. USDA 4a-8b.<\/p> Forms neat clumps of upright stems that hold a mass of starry, purple-pink flowerheads (25mm across) in October. Complemented by strong, straight and narrow foliage. Can struggle over winter if too wet.<\/p> 1m. AGM. RHS H4.<\/p> Striking, misty-blue daisies (15mm across) on arching sprays form clouds of colour in autumn. The pale-coloured discs, typically yellow, add to the overall effect and rarely turn purple. Not the most robust of growers.<\/p> 1m. AGM. RHS H7.<\/p> Upright sprays of tiny, white flowerheads (12mm across) with strikingly prominent, golden discs make this plant a showy addition to the autumn garden. The overall plant is compact and bushy. Will tolerate light shade. 75cm.<\/p> Softly arching sprays of creamy-pink daisies (13mm across) on arching stems makes a surprisingly striking show. Flowering from mid-autumn with sufficient gusto to obscure the dainty, heather-like foliage. 90cm.<\/p> A pre-1920s introduction that has stood the test of time. Mid-green, heather-like foliage is a foil for masses of perfect, round, lavender flowers in October. Each flowerhead is 12mm across and they are held on relatively long stems over bushy growth. Prefers well-drained soil.<\/p> 90cm. AGM*. RHS H7, USDA 3a-9b\u2020.<\/p> Buy Symphyotrichum ericoides<\/em> \u2018Blue Star\u2019 from Bressingham Gardens<\/a><\/p> Bushy growth with fine foliage. Smothered in lilac-pink daisies (13mm across) from mid-autumn. The foliage has an attractive bronze tint in spring that greens during the growing season. Best in a sunny position.<\/p> 80cm. AGM. RHS H7.<\/p> Buy Symphyotrichum ericoides<\/em> \u2018Pink Cloud\u2019 from Langthorns Plantery<\/a><\/p> The only autumn-flowering daisy to hold its stems at ground level, appearing prostrate. Masses of white daisies (13mm across) in October. Needs a sunny position, but is drought tolerant.<\/p> 10cm. AGM. RHS H7, USDA 3a-9b.<\/p> Buy Symphyotrichum ericoides var. prostratum<\/em> \u2018Snow Flurry\u2019 from Claire Austin<\/a><\/p> Plumes of powder-blue flowers (14mm across) in October over dark-green, heart-shaped foliage. Tolerant of light shade where the soil is moisture retentive.<\/p> 1.5m. AGM. RHS H7.<\/p> Find Symphyotrichum cordifolium <\/i>‘Chieftain’ through the RHS<\/a><\/p> Daisy flowers (20mm across) of the subtlest lavender, with bold, cream discs. The arching, branched sprays with their dark, narrow foliage create a lovely effect in mid-autumn. Easily grown in an open, sunny position.<\/p> 1m. AGM. RHS H7.<\/p> Buy Symphyotrichum <\/em>‘Ringdove’ from Cotswold Garden Flowers<\/a><\/p> Giving away its S. lateriflorum<\/em> heritage, each flowering stem has numerous side sprays held horizontally. This results in a very dense mass of pink daisies from mid-autumn covering the almost shrub-like plant.<\/p> 80cm. AGM. RHS H7.<\/p> Where to see and buy small flowered Michaelmas daisy<\/strong><\/p> Undemanding and adaptable, small-flowered Michaelmas daisies are good news for gardeners and pollinators alike with their profuse flowering habit, long season of interest and versatility. Grower and expert Helen Picton advises on how to grow them and recommends the best ones for your garden. Photographs Jason Ingram <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":40060,"template":"","categories":[1,51],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"8"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/09\/a-tiny-but-prolific-autumn-beauty-the-small-flowered-michaelmas-daisy-and-how-to-grow-it-scaled.jpg",1704,2560,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/09\/a-tiny-but-prolific-autumn-beauty-the-small-flowered-michaelmas-daisy-and-how-to-grow-it-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/09\/a-tiny-but-prolific-autumn-beauty-the-small-flowered-michaelmas-daisy-and-how-to-grow-it-200x300.jpg",200,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/09\/a-tiny-but-prolific-autumn-beauty-the-small-flowered-michaelmas-daisy-and-how-to-grow-it-768x1154.jpg",768,1154,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/09\/a-tiny-but-prolific-autumn-beauty-the-small-flowered-michaelmas-daisy-and-how-to-grow-it-682x1024.jpg",682,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/09\/a-tiny-but-prolific-autumn-beauty-the-small-flowered-michaelmas-daisy-and-how-to-grow-it-1022x1536.jpg",1022,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/09\/a-tiny-but-prolific-autumn-beauty-the-small-flowered-michaelmas-daisy-and-how-to-grow-it-1363x2048.jpg",1363,2048,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Undemanding and adaptable, small-flowered Michaelmas daisies are good news for gardeners and pollinators alike with their profuse flowering habit, long season of interest and versatility. Grower and expert Helen Picton advises on how to grow them and recommends the best ones for your garden. Photographs Jason Ingram","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/40059"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}How to grow and care for small-flowered Michaelmas daisy<\/h2>
Where to grow small-flowered Michaelmas daisy<\/h3>
How to propagate Michaelmas daisy<\/h3>
Michaelmas daisy problems<\/h3>
The best small-flowered Michaelmas daisies to grow<\/h2>
Symphyotrichum<\/em> \u2018Little Carlow\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_010-130e080.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum<\/em> \u2018Prairie Purple\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_235-8c37b8c.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum<\/em> \u2018Lady in Black\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_273-6f5c73e.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum<\/em> \u2018Ochtendgloren\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_026-fc5c4e1.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum<\/em> \u2018Photograph\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_036-913c11f.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum ericoides<\/em> \u2018Cinderella\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_062-4fd0708.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum ericoides<\/em> \u2018Rosy Veil\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_079-6da2b89.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum ericoides<\/em> \u2018Blue Star\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_102-3376d93.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum ericoides<\/em> \u2018Pink Cloud\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_124-1eba0b5.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum ericoides var. prostratum<\/em> \u2018Snow Flurry\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_151-f18d9d1.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum cordifolium<\/em> \u2018Chieftain\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_214-9ddaf7b.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum<\/em> \u2018Ringdove\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_249-4ca56fc.jpg\")
Symphyotrichum<\/em> \u2018Coombe Fishacre\u2019<\/h3>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2019\/09\/JI_081018_Asters_253-fa97324.jpg\")
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