Helenium autumnale
Common sneezeweed, False sunflower, Helen's flower, Swamp sunflower, Yellow star
Also known as Helenium pumilum
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is the parent of many garden plants. The species is thoroughly handsome, with tawny-orange, daisy-like flower heads during mid to late summer. It is a sturdy and tolerant plant that provides the wonderful rich tones associated with the autumn garden. In the wild, it grows in moist conditions, marshy sites and wet meadows.
- Flower colour
- Orange
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 1m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Prairie garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Divide every other year
The plant can be divided in alternate years. Clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Helenium
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Sneezeweed
Helenium 'Mardi Gras'
Sneezeweed, Helen's flower
Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty'
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Helenium 'Red Jewel'
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Helenium 'Rubinzwerg'
Sneezeweed
Helenium 'The Bishop'
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Helenium 'Waltraut'
Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale 'Short and Sassy'
Sneezeweed, Helen's flower