Michaelmas Daisies

“And if I don’t have you married by Michaelmas, it will not be my fault.”
~Mrs Jennings, Sense & Sensibility (the movie)

Here in Pennsylvania, and other parts of the northeast, the edges of woods, roadsides and fields are filling up with bright, white, daisy-like flowers. They’re white asters, which is a broad term to describe several species. (I’m fairly certain that the type depicted in the photo above is Aster vimineus, but someone please correct me if I’m wrong.) These pretty little flowers begin blooming at the end of summer and into autumn, and combining with other flowers such as goldenrod and black-eyed susans look positively gorgeous with the backdrop of the turning leaves. Asters are sometimes referred to as Michaelmas daisies, making reference to Michaelmas, the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel which falls on September 29th and being so close to the autumnal equinox (which was on September 23rd) is recognized as the end of summer and beginning of autumn here in the northern hemisphere. Asters are north American native plants and require practically no care at all. They prefer sun and relatively good soil but will tolerate other conditions as well. We have some planted in containers near our front door in shades of purple and pink. If you grow roses, they would also make an excellent companion plant hiding the “bare knees” which so many roses demonstrate this time of year. What are some of your favorite fall flowers?

Michaelmas Daisies (Aster) w/ Knock Out Roses