Chrysanthemum 'Will's Wonderful' (21d)

RHS Plant Profile
chrysanthemum 'Wills Wonderful'
Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

An erect, woody-based, deciduous perennial, producing stems to 1.2m (4ft) high and a spread of 50-90cm (20-36in), with deeply divided, aromatic green leaves. In late summer and autumn, sprays of many 5cm (2in), single, daisy flowers are produced, with pink petals fading to white at their bases, surrounding a bright yellow eye. The flowers are long lasting in water and the plants are ideal to grow for cutting. The plants are winter-hardy throughout most of the UK, but if grown in colder areas, are best heavily mulched over winter, or lifted after flowering and kept in cold, but frost-free conditions until spring. The flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, making the plants useful additions to a wildlife garden

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
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
Single Korean chrysanthemums are perennials with lobed leaves and single flowerheads

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained, fertile, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. In cool regions, lift the plants in autumn, before the first frosts and store the crowns in trays of just moist compost in frost-free conditions until spring. In areas where temperatures fall no lower than -5˚C (23˚F) in winter, plants may be left in the ground and protected by a thick mulch over winter, carefully removing this in spring, after the risk of frosts has passed.

Propagation

Propagate by basal softwood cuttings from overwintered stools in late winter or early spring. Cuttings should be rooted in a peat-free compost the surface of which is covered with dry sand and kept in a temperature of 16°C. Place in a cold frame after first rooting and protect from frost. Harden off in mid spring. Established clumps may be propagated by division in spring.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Once flowering is over in late autumn, cut the whole plant down to 20cm (8in) tall.

Diseases

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