Proliferation is a disorder that usually affects the flowers of a range of plants including clovers, the daisy family, opium poppies, plantains and roses. Bellis perennis ‘Prolifera’ – the hen and chickens daisy – is a stable

Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit.

The opium poppy ‘Hens and Chickens’ is an example of where secondary flowers are formed around the main flower.

Another type of proliferation is occasionally seen in plants with solitary flowers. Certain roses seem particularly prone, with the flower stalk appearing to grow through the flower to produce another flower, creating a two-tiered effect .

The symptoms of proliferation become apparent when;

• The flowers continue to producte new growths beyond the stage at which growth usually ceases
• Within the flower multiple buds appear around OR within the open blooms
• Not all the blooms on the plant are usully affected; in repeat-flowering roses for example, the second flush is usually free from problems

The cause of proliferation is unknown but, when it appears unexpectedly, it is probably due to a random genetic mutation at some point during the development of the flower.

It is possible that physical injury may be involved, perhaps by a late frost.

Where proliferation occurs each year, a virus might be the cause and affected plants will have to be replaced.