- Botanical name: Symphyotrichum laeve 'Calliope'
- Common name: Michaelmas daisy
- Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Blue
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Autumn colour
- Flowers
Asters are in the daisy family and while some flower in spring, most flower in late summer and autumn, hence their common name Michaelmas daisy. Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Calliope’ is a particularly tall aster, bearing masses of small, lilac-blue flowers with yellow centres. It’s ideal for growing in herbaceous borders and makes a welcome flash of colour when other flowers are starting to fade. It’s also an important source of nectar and pollen for late-flying insects.
For best results plant Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Calliope’ in well-drained soil in a sheltered, partially shaded site. Cut back hard after flowering.
How to grow Symphyotrichum 'Calliope'
-
Plant size
1.8m height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Symphyotrichum 'Calliope' and wildlife
Symphyotrichum 'Calliope' is known for attracting bees, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Symphyotrichum 'Calliope' poisonous?
Symphyotrichum 'Calliope' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Symphyotrichum 'Calliope'
