Dendranthema Hillside Pink Sheffield

Hillside Pink Sheffield Garden Chrysanthemum, also known as Dendranthema x grandiflorum, is a very hardy perennial plant that flowers late in the season, just like autumn daisies. This beautiful variety produces charming single flowers, ranging from coppery pink to soft salmon pink and then pale pink around a yellow centre. The plant forms a broad and dense, natural clump that blends easily into the garden.

Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum (synonym Dendranthema) belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a complex hybrid obtained through the cross-breeding of several species from East Asia (C. vestitum, C. indicum, C. lavandulifolium, C. nankingense) and Siberia (C. zawadskii). It is a perennial plant that flowers in autumn, also known as Autumn Chrysanthemum or Horticultural Chrysanthemum. The 'Hillside Pink Sheffield' cultivar forms a bush approximately 55 cm (22in) tall and 70 cm (28in) wide. It has a relatively fast growth rate. Its stems become woody at the base and are slightly spreading, velvety, numerous, and gathered in a dense clump. Flowering occurs in September-October with numerous daisy-shaped, single, 5 cm (2in) in diameter, flower heads. The outer petals or ligules change colour and fade over time. The central disc consists of tiny yellow fertile flowers. The thick leaves are triangular-ovate, with toothed or lobed segments along the edges. They measure up to 10 cm (4in) long and are dark green and hairy. When crushed, they emit a characteristic odour. The plant is deciduous, it emerges from the ground in spring and dies back in winter.

Chrysanthemums and autumn daisies require a sunny exposure, light, fertile, not too dry but moist soil. These perennials are hardy to at least -15°C. To maintain a compact habit, the stems can be pruned to 20-30 cm (8-12in) in spring, to encourage branching. Garden chrysanthemums offer immense resources during a less flowery time of the year and pair remarkably well with autumn colours. They can be associated with asters in complementary colours. Their blooms can be lightened by cosmos, Japanese anemones, and shrubby salvias... They are particularly interesting when combined with grasses such as Carex, Stipa, and Pennisetum.