Michaelmas daisy

Symphyotrichum spp.

Tall North American native perennials with sprays of small daisy flowers in lilac, pink, and white. The last major nectar source of the gardening year.

Hardiness ratings

Michaelmas daisy hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −40 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −34 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–6 −10 °C to 15 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Last major nectar source of the season — flowers from September into November
  • Forage for bees and migrating butterflies including monarchs in their southbound flight
  • New England aster (S. novae-angliae) is far more mildew resistant than New York aster (S. novi-belgii) — choose accordingly

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Michaelmas daisy against your zones

Reference

Michaelmas daisy on Wikipedia