New England Aster, also known as Michlemas Daisy is a tall plant native to central and south-eastern states of USA. An important food source for wildlife, the nectar and pollen provide nutrition for many insect species and the seeds are widely eaten by birds. The beautiful flowers appear in the autumn and each one is surrounded by a ring of colourful spiky petals. The wild form is pale lilac but there are now many cultivated forms available, with colours ranging from dark purple to pink. Best used for decoration, only the petals are edible.