Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' (Max Chrysanthemum) — Bushy, upright

Overview

Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' is a bushy, upright perennial in the genus Chrysanthemum, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous; lobed, aromatic, mid to grey-green foliage. Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' grows best in full sun, and tolerates fertile and well-manured loam soils and neutral to slightly acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2–H5 depending on group.

About

Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' is a perennial in the Asteraceae with an upright, well-branched habit and lobed, aromatic foliage. It flowers from August to October, producing white rays with yellow centres. Leaves are mid to grey-green and deciduous. It favours fertile, well-manured loam in full sun on a sheltered south- or west-facing site.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Leucanthemum maximum

About the genus

Chrysanthemums, sometimes abbreviated to mums or chrysanths, are perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the family Asteraceae that bloom in the autumn. They are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe. Most species originate from East Asia, and the center of diversity is in China.

Wikipedia contributors, "Chrysanthemum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Chrysanthemum

In the garden

Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' is a perennial cultivar of the Asteraceae, derived from plants native to parts of western Europe. The cultivar carries the species’ lobed, aromatic leaves and produces single daisy-like heads of white rays surrounding yellow centres, flowering from August to October. Plant it in full sun on a sheltered south- or west-facing aspect where the soil is a fertile, well-manured loam. Neutral to slightly acid conditions suit it best and the soil should be kept moist but well drained rather than waterlogged. Hardiness varies across groups (H2–H5), which means some clones are only half-hardy while others tolerate typical UK winter conditions; the equivalent USDA range is 5–9. In the garden place Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' towards the middle or back of a herbaceous border so the late-summer and autumn flowering is visible; it complements plants that finish earlier in the season. Because the foliage is deciduous, the plants will die back after winter and re-emerge from their crowns; the long August–October flowering provides reliable white and yellow blooms when many other perennials have finished.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Chrysanthemum

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Fertile, well-manured loam
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid
Soil moisture: Moist but well drained
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H2–H5 depending on group

Plant details

Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous; lobed, aromatic, mid to grey-green

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill'

Cultivation: These are hungry plants: feed and water generously right through the growing season. Stop the growing tips in early summer to build a branching, well-furnished plant, stake before the flower weight arrives, and lift tender or exhibition kinds after flowering to overwinter the stools in a frost-free frame.
Pruning: Pinch out growing tips in late spring and early summer to encourage branching. Cut stems down to about 15cm after flowering, then lift for storage where the cultivar is not reliably hardy.
Propagation: Take basal cuttings from overwintered stools in late winter and early spring. Hardy border kinds can also be divided in spring.
Pest resistance: Aphids, leaf miner, capsid bug and earwigs all favour the soft growth; eelworm affects long-established stools.
Disease resistance: Susceptible to white rust and powdery mildew under glass or in crowded plantings, so ventilation is essential.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill'?

These are hungry plants: feed and water generously right through the growing season. Stop the growing tips in early summer to build a branching, well-furnished plant, stake before the flower weight arrives, and lift tender or exhibition kinds after flowering to overwinter the stools in a frost-free frame.

Where is the best place to plant Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill'?

Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' need?

Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' grows best in fertile and well-manured loam soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acid soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well drained.

How do I prune Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill'?

Pinch out growing tips in late spring and early summer to encourage branching. Cut stems down to about 15cm after flowering, then lift for storage where the cultivar is not reliably hardy.

Is Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' hardy in the UK?

Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill' has an RHS hardiness rating of H2, meaning it is tender, tolerating 1–5°C, and needs frost-free protection over winter.

How do I propagate Chrysanthemum maximum 'Fiona Coghill'?

Take basal cuttings from overwintered stools in late winter and early spring. Hardy border kinds can also be divided in spring.

More in the Chrysanthemum genus

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