Michaelmas Daisies (Aster novi-belgii), the New York asters, and their cousins the New England asters (Aster novae-anglicae), proclaim autumn landscape color.
Michaelmas daisies (Aster novi-belgii), the New York asters, and their close cousins the New England asters (Aster novae-anglicae), are indigenous North American plants. They are versatile autumn perennials better known for garden landscape color than as wildflowers.
As often happens with North American native plants, a journey to Europe leads to world-wide popularity, and , with these asters, a sojourn in English gardens produced the nickname of Michaelmas daisies.
Where does the Michaelmas part of Michaelmas daisies come from?
These autumn asters reach peak bloom in temperate climates like England's near the end of September. The word Michaelmas is a combination of Michael and mas a shortened form of Mass, the celebration of the Eucharist. The Feast of Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, a special day in the Christian calendar, takes place on 29 September. In the Middle Ages, a special Eucharist marked this day of celebration.
Because the feast day falls near the equinox, Michaelmas is also associated with the beginning of autumn, and the shortening of days. St. Michael, one of these principal archangels and traditionally known as a warrior angel, is a protector against the dark and evils of night along with police, firemen, paramedics and paratroopers.
If you'd like to know more about using Michaelmas daisies in autumn landscaping, my article,
Color in Autumn Garden Landscapes, is a good place to start.
