A tall, vigorous, hardy, but rare, perennial to around 130cm in height, with dark green foliage. Large, single, daisy-like dark pink flowers with yellow centres and quilled petals appear over a long period from September to the end of November
1-1.5 metres
0.5-1 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow in a well-drained, moderately-fertile soil in full sun. Pinch out the growing tip when the plants are 15-20cm tall to encourage free-flowering, bushy plants. Dislikes wet soil in winter. See chrysanthemum cultivation for further information
Propagate by basal softwood cuttings from overwintered stools in late winter or early spring. Cuttings should be rooted in a loamless 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
Pinch out growing tips for bushier plants. Once flowering is over in late autumn, cut the whole plant down to 20cm (8in) tall. It can be left in the ground in free-draining soil and mulched. Alternatively, in cooler climates, lift and store in pots in a cool, dark, frost-free location over winter
May be susceptible to chrysanthemum leaf miner, glasshouse whitefly and aphids
May be susceptible to glasshouse grey mould, Powdery mildews and chrysanthemum white rust