Hymenoxys
Rubberweed
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 1m × 0.4m – 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are mostly compact plants that have yellow daisy flowers (often disproportionately large) that are held above mounds of foliage. They are found in wilder parts of the USA, sometimes in poor and rocky places. The flowers can be very beautiful with broad hearts (as with Hymenoxys acaulis), or with square ended petals (as with Hymenoxys lapidicola). Some forms have attractive silvered foliage (Hymenoxys aculis var. caespitosa). The orange sneeze weed (Hymenoxys hoopesii formerly Helenium hoopesii), standing a metre high, is a notable member of the family. The popular name 'Rubberweeds' comes from the latex that is produced by some forms; this is toxic, but was used as a source of rubber in World War II.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.5m – 1m
- Spread
- 0.4m – 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming 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.
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.