Aster novae-belgii
Michaelmas Daisy
This plant attracts the following butterflies:
Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White
Sightings 2005:
Visited Upton House (National Trust), which holds the National collection of Asters, on 2 October.
Not many butterflies about but Aster novae-angliae 'Anderken an Alma Potschke' had one Small Tortoiseshell and one Red Admiral butterfly feeding on it.
A memorable image of 2003:
Small White on plant in
pot. September 3.
Past Image:
Comma butterflies in my Wiltshire
garden. 28 September 1999.
notes:
Grew some Michaelmas Daisies from seed when living in Wiltshire and these attracted Comma and Red Admiral butterflies.
Have bought several Michaelmas Daisies from Garden Centres as plants since moving to Cirencester. I have a good clump of white-flowered short ones but no butterflies on them. In 2003 I bought another Michaelmas Daisy and, as the image above shows, it attracted a Small White whilst still in the pot.
Reference Section
Plant Type: perennial
Flowers in September
Height: variable (60-90cm or more)
Tall species require staking.
Prefers sunny spot with well-drained soil but needs adequate moisture throughout the summer. Prone to mildew.