Apparently Michaelmas daisies aren’t native to the UK, but were introduced from America in the 1700s! They grow enthusiastically at this time of year, and the bees and butterflies like them.
To further confuse matters, this isn’t Michaelmas – that’s in September.
But here they are anyway, cheerfully flowering in a green space near the centre of town. I see them a lot on roadsides. They are an iconic summer plant for me.
Although for further confusion, since I first posted this blog it’s been pointed out to me that these may not be Michaelmas daises at all, but Oxeye daisies, and I still have no idea (having looked at the internet) how you would tell them apart! It’s quite possibly the case that some of the other images for Michaelmas daisies online were actually oxeye daises and that there are different schools of daisy naming and that it isn’t just me!
Druid Life 
That’s not a Michaelmas daisy is it?
It’s also possible that it isn’t, and that what I grew up being told was a Michaelmas Daisy is in fact a oxeye daisy, for further confusion!
Hello Nimue. In Kent we call these Ox-eye daisies and like yours are out now. Our Michaelmass daisies have smaller mauve heads and are in flower around Michaelmass. It’s interesting how names change from region to region. For me these plants are season indicators and are always a pleasure to see in their natural habitats. Thank you for publishing the blog, your hard work is very much appreciated.
I don’t know if this is a regional thing or a my family thing!
a Michaelmas Daisy grows pretty tall (up to 3 feet in my experience) and yes they have smaller mauve heads. I also know your photo as an oxeye daisy. It may well be regional but they are also commercial sold under those names 🙂
thank you! I don’t know if its a regional thing or a my family thing.
Hey, this is my favourite website with great pics showing diagnostic features –
https://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/D/Daisy(Oxeye)/Daisy(Oxeye).htm
https://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/M/MichaelmasDaisy(Common)/MichaelmasDaisy(Common).htm
thank you!
It’s got to be a family thing – these are oxeye daisies, also called moon daisy or moon penny because of the way they shine at night. Michaelmas daisies are all shades of purple and flower at Michaelmas. I live a few miles from the national michaelmas daisy collection – their gardens are a total wonder in September – wildish, many areas to wander in, old trees etc – and the most amazing collection of different kinds of spindleberry too. Gorgeous.
I’ve found another plant today that isn’t what I thought it was! Going to have to have a serious look at this.