12 of the best Michaelmas daisies to grow

Michaelmas daisies look great in cottage gardens but also work in more contemporary schemes – they associate well with ornamental grasses. They're extremely popular with bees and butterflies, too.

How to grow Michaelmas daisies

Grow Michaelmas daisies in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Cut back after flowering.

• How to plant Michaelmas daisies
• How to grow asters
• 12 key plants for a cottage garden

We've picked our favourite Michaelmas daisies to grow, below.

Aster tongolensis 'Beggarten'

Unlike many of its taller cousins, Aster tongolensis 'Beggarten' is compact and clump-forming, ideal for the front of a border. It starts flowering in midsummer and will continue until the first frosts.

Height x Spread: 40cm x 60cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Tonga' ('Dasfour') (Island Series)

'Tonga' is one of the 'Island Series' of Michaelmas daisy – a range compact varieties that look good at the front of a border, or in a container.

H x S: 45cm x 30cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Samoa' ('Dasthree') (Island Series)

Another of the compact Island Series, 'Samoa' has purple flowers with bright yellow centres.

H x S: 60cm x 30cm

Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow'

'Little Carlow' is very popular, and deservedly so. It bears masses of vibrant, violet-blue flowers over a long period and is resistant to powdery mildew. Reaching around 90cm tall, it's ideal for the middle of a border.

H x S: 90cm x 45cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Lady in Blue'

Another compact variety, 'Lady in Blue' is ideal for the front of a border, where it will flower for weeks.

H x S: 50cm x 50cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Chatterbox'

This bushy clump-former is another compact variety and is an unusual powder pink.

H x S: 50cm x 50cm

Eurybia x herveyi

Previously known as Aster macrophyllus 'Twilight' or Aster herveyi, Eurybia x herveyi is a popular choice as it's resistant to mildew, which can be a problem on some varieties in damp summers. It has a profusion of flowers in late summer.

H x S: 1m x 50cm

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Calliope'

Formerly known as Aster laevis 'Calliope', this statuesque aster reaches almost 2m tall, making it a plant for the back of a border. The eye-catching black stems give it a contemporary look.

H x S: 1.5m x 50cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Algar's Pride'

'Algar's Pride' is a striking plant that has large single lavender-blue flowers. It usually flowers late in the season. It's a tall variety (around 150cm tall) and is best for the back of the border.

H x S: 1.5m x 60cm

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Royal Ruby'

The slender stems of 'Royal Ruby' are topped with maroon, almost red flowers with yellow centres. This compact variety is a vibrant choice for the front of a border or a container.

H x S: 50cm x 50cm

Symphyotrichum 'Coombe Fishacre'

'Coombe Fishacre' has dark green foliage and sprays of small lilac-pink daisies. They have unusual brown-pink centres. It’s a medium size, reaching between 50cm to 1m tall.

H x S: 90cm x 50cm

Symphyotrichum 'Ochtendgloren' (pilosum var pringlei hybrid)

Previously known as Aster 'Ochtendgloren' (pringlei hybrid), this tall aster, which reaches around 1.4m high, is a pretty choice for the back of a border.

H x S: 1.5m x 50cm