Chrysanthemum 'Max Riley' (23b)

RHS Plant Profile
chrysanthemum 'Max Riley'
chrysanthemum 'Max Riley' RHS

Synonyms

Dendranthema 'Max Riley'

Award of Garden Merit
Bedding Herbaceous Perennial

'Max Riley' is a half-hardy perennial to 1.2m in height, with long-stemmed, bright yellow flowers 11cm in width from late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Chrysanthemum are erect woody-based perennials with aromatic, pinnately lobed leaves and flowerheads of diverse form, from late summer to late autumn
Name Status
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Medium-flowered, Early flowering Outdoor Incurved chrysanthemums are erect plants with with rounded, fully double flowerheads, the ray florets curving upwards and overlapping

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sheltered site in full sun in fertile well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter and general purpose fertiliser. Water freely in dry weather. Pinching out the growing tip when the plants are 15-20cm tall to encourage free flowering bushy plants. Staking is usually required. There is no need to deadhead. In mild areas leave in the ground protected by a thick mulch. Elsewhere lift the crowns and store in a greenhouse, raising fresh plants from these each year. The illustration shows 'Bronze Max Riley' which is a slightly darker yellow

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings taken in spring from shoots from stored stools

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Cut back to near ground level in the autumn, before lifting and storing for the winter

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and leaf miners which are common pests. Leaf and bud eelworms can damage stock that has not been heat-treated. Earwigs sometimes damage blooms. Capsid bug and glasshouse red spider mite are occasional pests

Diseases

May be susceptible to glasshouse grey moulds, powdery mildews and chrysanthemum white rust