© RHS / Neil Hepworth

Introducing...

Helenium

Common name: Sneezeweed

Bringing warm colour to borders from mid-summer into autumn, these sun-loving perennials are tough, hardy and easy to grow. They combine particularly well with grasses and other late-flowering perennials in prairie-style plantings.

Looks

These daisies come in a choice of rich, fiery hues – yellows, deep oranges and reddish-coppers – opening from mid-summer. The centres become more prominent as the flowers age and the petals curve backwards. The upright, leafy, branching stems emerge from sturdy clumps.

Likes

Heleniums thrive in most soil types, and prefer full sun. It is best to support them by staking around the clump in spring.

Dislikes

They dislike very heavy, wet soil, and won’t flower in shade. Avoid planting in a windy position, as the tall flower stems may blow over.

Did you know?

Heleniums generally need staking to keep them upright, but to avoid this you can give them the ‘Chelsea chop’, in May, or cut them back to 30cm (12in) in mid-July. This delays flowering slightly but keeps plants more compact so you can enjoy the flowers on neat, unstaked plants.

Growing guide

Heleniums we recommend

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Useful advice

Ornamental grasses: selection

Ornamental grasses: selection

Perennial borders: choosing plants

Perennial borders: choosing plants

Perennials: dividing

Perennials: dividing

Prairie planting: creation and maintenance

Prairie planting: creation and maintenance

Slugs and snails

Slugs and snails

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