Jefferson Park was introduced by Ted King in the US around 2012. Since the definition of ‘heirloom’ requires a cultivar to be at least 50 years old, Jefferson Park doesn’t fall into this category as is the case for many of the beautiful mums we grow for exhibition and cut flowers. Jefferson Park was named after an awe-inspiring alpine valley on the north side of Oregon’s Mt Jefferson. This is a vigorous growing plant with lavender pink irregular incurve blooms which can reach large sizes if disbudded. The plants stand around 1.3m high and blooms start opening in October. Jefferson Park has overwintered for several years in a friends’ zone 5b garden. If you plan to perform your own winter hardiness test, try to keep the plants as dry as possible with well-draining raised beds and covered in a thick layer of leaves or straw. Jefferson Park should have no trouble overwintering in a hoop house with some straw coverage but just in case, always consider keeping a spare plant in a cold storage area of your home. This cultivar is a must for the cut flower garden.