Free-flowering heleniums must be one of the most attractive candidates for the flower garden, producing branching sprays of abundant, velvety textured daisies in warm shades of yellow, orange, red and bronze.
Fact file: Helenium
- What Long-flowering, hardy, herbaceous perennials that are easy to grow. A genus of around 33 species, including some annuals, in the daisy (Asteraceae) family. Commonly known as sneezeworts.
- Season July to early November, and into winter for seedheads.
- Size Vary in height from 50cm to 1.8m.
- Conditions Best in full sun and a fertile, free-draining soil.
- Origins North and South America.
- Hardiness Hardy throughout the UK and northern Europe with an RHS hardiness rating of H6 to H7, and suitable for gardens in USDA hardiness zones 3a to 8b.
The onset of flowers varies between cultivars and can start as early as June and continue into October. Each flower has a prominent central boss in either yellow or chocolate brown and is fringed with a ruff of delicate, slightly drooping petals.
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They are easy to cultivate and will grow well in a sunny position in any fertile soil – as long as it is not too dry. The blooms are long-lasting, and H. autumnale cultivars make exceptional cut flowers. Helenium is a member of the daisy family, Asteraceae, and includes 33 species of annuals and herbaceous perennials that hail from North and South America. The common name, sneezewort, comes from the historic use of the dried and ground leaves and flowerheads to produce a snuff that provoked sneezing.
Heleniums are adaptable plants and suitable for naturalistic cottage gardens, wild gardens and the more modern matrix style of planting, where large, strong drifts of colour are called for. They’re best grown in full sun, and although they can survive in shade, the plants generally do not thrive and have a tendency to become leggy and flop.
Heleniums are adaptable plants and suitable for naturalistic cottage gardens and wild gardens
A good, moist soil is a must for heleniums, and they resent drought through the summer months. Winter water-logging can also be problematic and hamper some of the more recent introductions.
Through breeding and selection, there is a wide range of sizes to choose from. Shorter cultivars such as H. ‘Meranti’ and H. ‘El Dorado’ are good at the front of the border; H. ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ and H. ‘Luc’ are a bit taller and well-placed in front to mid-border positions. Larger cultivars, such as H. ‘Septemberfuchs’ can be very dominant and best situated towards the back of the border.
Heleniums have quite a long season of interest, particularly the shorter, earlier varieties, and combine well with ornamental grasses and perennials, as well as some smaller shrubs. Cool blues work well with the warm hues of the daisy flower. Helenium ‘Luc’ looks particularly good with the blue spikes of Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ or A. ‘Blackadder’, for example.
How to care for helenium
How to grow heleniums
Heleniums do best in full sun in rich, moist soils that don’t sit wet in winter. Drought will cause a lacklustre appearance, poor growth and few flowers. Shorter hybrids are more able to cope with drier conditions, but all dislike winter wet.
Incorporate a good amount of compost into the soil, making sure to firm the soil around the crown. Water as required until established and protect from slugs.
Heleniums combine well with ornamental grasses and perennials, as well as some of the smaller shrubs
When to divide helenium
Divide around every three to four years. Split into good fist-sized chunks and replant where needed, leaving about 50cm between each clump.
How to stake helenium
Many of the newer hybrids are bred to be self-supporting, but taller plants are often prone to flopping when heavy with flowers.
Plants behave differently depending on the soil, so when staking, it is important to observe and get to know your plants, then assess whether or not to stake, although when in doubt stake as a matter of caution, as plants rarely recover once they have gone over.
A good, strong cane at the back of the plant, with a ring of string encircling the perimeter stems, will allow plants a degree of movement while keeping them steady and upright. Two rows of string, one midway up the stems and another 20cm below the flowers, will work well and provide good support. A Chelsea chop will make the plant sturdier and reduce the risk of flopping.
When to sow helenium
When to plant depends on the variety and the conditions in the garden. In the south, in free-draining soil, early winter may provide the best window for planting.
Heleniums are adaptable plants and suitable for naturalistic cottage gardens, wild gardens and the more modern matrix style of planting, where large, strong drifts of colour are called for.
In cold, wet soil, spring is probably the best time to plant. Getting plants in the ground in late autumn and winter gives time for roots to establish before temperatures begin to rise and the busy growth spell takes effect, and may help protect against periods of dry weather in spring.
Many of the new hybrids flower exceptionally well in their first year after planting, but can’t cope with winter wet. Treat these like tender perennials and overwinter in a coldframe before replanting in the spring.
How to propagate helenium
Many heleniums are easily grown from seed and will occasionally self-seed. The hybrid cultivars are best propagated by division or from basal cuttings in spring.
When to plant helenium
New growth is susceptible to being swamped by more vigorous spring plants, so try keeping young plants in a nursery area so they can be nurtured in their first year, and then plant in the flower garden once they have bulked up.
How to deadhead helenium
Early flowering cultivars will benefit from deadheading, which may prompt a second flush of flowers. Then a light feed (such as Growmore) will improve the second wave of flowers.
The best helenium varieties
*Holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. †Hardiness ratings given where available.
Where to see and buy helenium
- Blooms of Bressingham Mail order only. Tel 01379 688282, thebressinghamgardens.com
- Dove Cottage Nursery Shibden, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX39XA. Tel 01422 203553, dovecottagenursery.co.uk
- Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants Priory Lane Nursery, Freefolk Priors, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7FA. Tel 01256 896533, hardysplants.co.uk
- RHS Garden Bridgewater Occupation Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ. Tel 0161 503 6100, rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater