Description
Helenium – Sneezeweed – Helen’‘s Flower –
There are about 40 species of annuals, biennials, and perennials in this genus. They occur in damp meadows or woodland margins in North and Central America. They are mostly clump forming plants with sturdy, branching stems and alternate, oval to inversely lance shaped, mid green leaves, 6-8″ long. The daisy-like flowers have prominent yellow or brown centers, and petals in yellow, bronze, orange, or red. Heleniums flower over long period and are suitable for a sunny, mixed or herbaceous border. The flowers are useful for cutting and are attractive to bees. All parts may cause serve discomfort if ingested, contact with the foliage may aggravate skin allergies.
Easily grown in any fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Provide support for taller species and cultivars. Deadhead to prolong flowering, and divide every 2 or 3 years.
Prone to powdery mildew, rust, leaf smut, and fungal spots.
H. amarum – H. tenuifolium – Bitterweed – Bitter Sneezeweed – This strongly smelling annual comes from the Southeastern, USA and grows 30″ tall. It produces golden-yellow petals. Native American tribes used to sniff the dried and powdered flowers of this species like snuff if they were suffering from blocked sinuses.
Zones 4-11
