The
common name for Helenium is sneezeweed, because Native
Americans used its dried petals to prevent hay fever. Whatever you call it,
this tall perennial is reliable, easy to grow and a standout in the fall
garden.
Helenium
produces dense clumps of sturdy stems, well clothed in lance-shaped, toothed
leaves. The stems rise almost straight upward, topped by thick clusters of
flowers over a long period. The flowers are daisylike with dark centers. The
flower colors are all autumn shades—browns, oranges, reds, and yellows—so even
the earlier-blooming species give the garden a look of fall.
Top
Performers
Helenium autumnale (common sneezeweed): Before plant breeders got
into the act, common sneezeweed was strictly a fall-bloomer, flowering from
late summer until frost, giving almost 10 weeks of display. However, most
modern hybrids have some genes of orange sneezeweed (H. hoopesii), so
that many start blooming in midsummer and hang on until fall. Some start to
bloom in early summer and finish before autumn even begins.
Among
the hybrid cultivars, 'Bruno', with bronze-red flowers from late summer through
fall, is my favorite. 'Butterpat' is an old favorite, with butter yellow
flowers on 4 to 5 foot tall plants. 'Moerheim Beauty' has striking brownish red
petals.
Growing
Tips
Soil: Heleniums grow best in moist, even wet, poorly drained soil.
They don't need rich soil and, in fact, in soil that is too rich, they produce
impossibly tall plants with luscious green leaves and few flowers.
Heleniums
also perform better in cool soil than in warm soil. What they really like is to
have their roots in cool soil and their leaves in hot, blazing, late-summer
sun. How do you give them these conditions? A thick layer of mulch—especially
shredded leaves—will keep the roots cool.
Another
way to help keep heleniums from stretching too tall is to pinch the stem tips
in spring or early summer, when the stems are about 6 to 8 inches tall. This
encourages bushiness and better flowering.
After
a few seasons, the clumps of helenium become more dense and flowering
decreases. To rejuvenate the plants (and get more to plant in new spots or to
give to gardening friends), dig up the clumps and divide them every four years.
Beware that where heleniums thrive, they spread rapidly and attempt to conquer
the garden.
After
heleniums finish blooming, cut them back hard to help prevent insects and
diseases from getting established. If you do this each season and divide the
clumps every four years, your heleniums are likely to remain problem-free.
Plant
Profile: Helenium
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Bloom colors: Copper, orange, red, white, or yellow
Bloom time: Late summer to frost
Length of bloom: 6 to 10 weeks
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Spread: 18 to 36 inches
Light preference: Full sun
Soil preference: Moist or even poorly drained; average fertility
Garden uses: Cutting flower; meadow garden; mass planting; back of
border
