The often overlooked plants in the genus Helenium are members of the family Asteraceae and as such sport the ubiquitous daisy-like flowers anywhere from mid June to late autumn, depending upon which of the approximately forty species the plant derives from, and of course, the local climate. Helenium are native to North and Central America and are yet another of our native plants that have achieved fame and acceptance in Europe while being virtually ignored here at home.

The first record of a Helenium species in a European garden was in the late eighteenth century but it was not until the twentieth century that named cultivars started to make their appearance, mostly from European breeders.

Valuable for late summer color in the garden, displaying bright yellows, golds, burgundies and rusts, with prominent, often contrasting central cones. Easily distinguishable from Echinacea (Cone Flowers) and Rudbeckia as their petals are shorter and wider, generally with three points to their 'flattened' ends. The petals are usually held flat or somewhat reflexed signaling many varieties of butterfly to alight for a tasty treat. In the wild Helenium are found growing in moist to wet conditions in sunny meadows and stream banks.

Helenium prefer a moist, but lean, location in full sun. They will resent drying out and will react with chlorotic foliage, poor growth and, often, death. Conversely if their location is too rich in nutrients or constantly damp their growth is likely to be leggy and weak and will require staking. Best success is obtained with adequate moisture and little supplemental feeding. Shearing back young plants in early summer (before the appearance of flower buds) will result in more compact growth, improved branching and an abundance of flowers. Generally speaking plants should bloom for six to eight weeks, and they make excellent cut flowers with a long vase life. Regular deadheading will encourage a longer season of bloom. If happy, plants will form a sizable clump, which can be divided in the spring just after new growth starts. Does not react well to fall division having just spent considerable amounts of energy in flowering.

Commonly referred to as 'Helen's Flower' or Sneezeweed, Helenium are generally in bloom at the same time as the 'raging allergen' Ragweed (Artemisia) and many contend that this coincidence has earned them an unappealing moniker and reputation similar to that of Goldenrod or Solidago. However a more likely explanation is that the foliage was often dried and powered into snuff which was then used to induce sneezing, in an effort to rid the body of evil spirits.

H. 'Double Trouble' PP# 18,206

H. 'Flammenspiel'

H. 'Goldlackzwerg'

H. 'Karina'

H. 'Moerheim Beauty'