Dendranthema weyrichii

A perennial of the Asteraceae family, this species is native to Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and the southern part of Sakhalin Island, where it grows on maritime cliffs, coastal rocks, and wind-exposed rocky slopes at low altitude. It is part of the group of wild Asian chrysanthemums from which the large horticultural chrysanthemums were developed, but it retains a distinctly more natural and discreet character.

It forms low, creeping clumps, 15 to 25 centimeters in height, with a covering and regular habit, gradually spreading to form a dense and homogeneous carpet. The leaves are palmatilobed, of a fairly bright medium green, with rounded lobes, which clearly distinguishes them from the more dissected and angular leaves of other species in the genus.

The capitula, borne on short stems rising above the foliage, feature pale pink to deep pink ligules, sometimes almost white depending on the individuals, surrounding a central yellow disc. Their modest size and abundance give the plant a very pleasant floral and spontaneous appearance.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from September to November. In cultivation, it occurs at the same time, making it one of the few rock garden perennials to bloom in autumn.

It thrives in full sun in well-drained, ordinary to poor soil. Hardy and an effective ground cover, it is particularly valuable for enlivening rock gardens and walls at the end of the season, when most other plants have stopped flowering.