Chrysanthemum ‘Perry’s Peach’
Words: Graham Rice
Hot on the heels of the current resurgence of interest in dahlias has come a most welcome revival of interest in hardy garden chrysanthemums. After many years' absence these are now included in the regular Wisley trials and a number have now received Awards of Garden Merit.
The best have the virtues of hardiness, prolific flowering, wonderful colours and of course invaluable late season blooming.
Flowering from late September onwards, ‘Perry’s Peach’ opens its peachy pink flowers over a long period. Although they look single, each flower usually has three rows of petals which give the blooms more substance without subverting their simplicity. The lowest row curls very slightly downwards and the upper rows curls very slightly upwards which also adds to impact of the flowers.
The buds, and the opening flowers, are dark – almost deep orange - then mature to peachy pink, 5-6cm (2-2 1/4in) flowers each with a creamy ring around the 2cm (3-4in) bright yellow eye.
Red tints in autumn
The plants are erect in habit, from 50-80cm (20-32in) high depending on soil and season and the plants are vigorous and free flowering. In addition, the leaves develop red tints in autumn which enhances the overall effect.
The assessor’s summary after the Wisley trial summed up the excellence of the plant: “Neat flower, attractive peach colour. Floriferous, uniform habit, good weather resistance. Ideal height for mid-border.”
Found in a garden
‘Perry’s Peach’ was found in a garden in Whitby, North Yorkshire, in 1980 and passed to Perry’s Plants, a nursery based in the nearby village of Sleights. It came with no name and so was named ‘Perry’s Peach’.
Other AGMs
Other hardy garden chrysanthemums which received the AGM after last year’s trial were: ‘Aunt Millicent’, ‘Grandchild’ and ‘Carmine Blush’ together with more that were not considered reliably hardy.
More on hardy garden chrysanthemums