Blooms in pink, red, orange and yellow keep coming through summer and into November, enlivening the garden when other flowers start to wane. Sneezeweed (Helenium) is a low-care perennial for beds, pots and balconies; give it a sunny spot in amended, well-draining soil and it will flower on until the first frosts.
| Name | Helenium |
|---|---|
| Common name | Sneezeweed |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Type | Perennial |
| Height | 16 inches to 28 inches (40 to 70 cm) |
| Exposure | Sunny |
| Soil | Regular |
| Blooming | June to November |
To know about planting and care, read on: you’ll happily nurture beautiful heleniums!
It’s best to plant helenium in the spring. Even though blooms come in summer, spring planting means strong roots to withstand autumn and winter’s challenges.
Helenium asks for little care, just regular watering if it doesn’t rain.
Every 2 to 3 years, consider splitting the clump in spring or fall. It refreshes the plant and boosts its energy.
While Helenium stands strong, it sometimes faces a few pests and diseases. Yet, you can avoid these. Keeping foliage dry and giving each plant space goes a long way towards eliminating problems.
Helenium is a robust plant, but three problems turn up now and again. Use the symptom you can see to identify which one you are dealing with, and how to keep it away.
| Problem | What you see | Where it shows | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powdery mildew | A white film | Leaves and stems | Keep the foliage dry when watering |
| Rust | Pustules | Leaf undersides | Keep the foliage dry when watering |
| Aphids | Leaves curl and eventually drop | Leaves | Give each plant space |
Keeping foliage dry and giving each plant space goes a long way towards eliminating problems.
Heleniums vary widely in height and flower colour, so the right one depends on where you want it in the border. This table compares widely available varieties on the points that matter when planting.
| Variety | Flower colour | Height | Flowering period | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moerheim Beauty | Coppery red, bronze centre | 36 in (90 cm) | July to September | Mid to back of border |
| Waltraut | Golden brown to copper | 36 in (90 cm) | July to September | Prairie-style planting |
| Rubinzwerg | Deep ruby red | 32 in (80 cm) | July to September | Mid-border, cutting |
| Butterpat | Clear yellow | 40 in (100 cm) | August to October | Late colour at the back |
| Mardi Gras | Orange streaked with yellow | 30 in (75 cm) | July to September | Mid-border, pollinators |
Helenium hails from North America, often found near swamps.
Known for their pink, red, orange, and yellow hues, they bring vibrancy to any space.
Helenium blooms from summer through late, even into November or December. Their appearance enlivens gardens when other flowers start to wane.
Many love planting them in pots to brighten up balconies and patios.
Chrysanthemums adapt well. They look great in garden beds, pots, or planters, and also beautify a flowerbed.
Want to pick your color? Buy them in nursery pots when they start to bloom and then plant them in your garden.
