Rare chrysanthemum discovered in a Chingford allotment

The colourful chrysanthemum has petals that are half pink and half yellow, divided exactly by a line down the middle.

The discovery was made by keen gardener Heather James, 61, of Betoyne Avenue, in Chingford, who found it nestled among her regular chrysanthemums, dahlias and gladiolas at her allotment in Larkshall Road, Chingford.

She said: “I was very surprised to find it because I have never grown one like this before. It was the first time I had ever seen one.

“You never quite know what you find when you grow flowers.”

Royal Horticultural Society botanist James Armitage said that the stunning display was a result of a genetic mutation which occur sporadically making the flowers quite unusual.

He said: “It is a curiosity. We get reports of about five of these happening each year, although I am sure lots of people have them but don't report it to us. If the colours are quite contrasting it can be very striking.

“It occurs when the flowers are just two cells big, one cell mutates and gets one colour and the other doesn't, so you get a line down the middle.

“But it is unlikely to happen in subsequent years and people are quite taken by it.”

Mr Armitage said the occurrence of the split colour flowers are more common in dahlias, roses and chrysanthemums.

Ms James, who has been growing chrysanthemums for 25 years, said that on discovering the flower she cut it to take it home to enjoy while it lasts, and said her daughter, 29-year-old Claire Yates, was “very impressed”.

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