Helenium plants and species
With daisy like flowers Helenium come in a range of colours and are a very useful clump forming perennial.
Helenium plants species such as Helenium autumnale, are sometimes known as ‘Sneezeweed’.
It is the cultivars that are most sought after, with H x autumnale ‘Moerheim Beauty’ being one of the best known. Brilliant mid to deep red flowers with a touch of black. The cultivar ‘Dark Beauty’ is similar, just a shade or two darker.
Another old cultivar is ‘Riverton Gem’ orange to yellow flowers and a very reliable performer.
Helenium ‘Rubinzwerg’ is a brilliant cultivar and more compact in growth habit.
Helenium ‘Zimbelstern’ is another worth looking for.
The yellow flowering Heleniun ‘Solar Flare’ has golden yellow petals with a deep, almost black centre. Many other cultivars are offered, generally in red or yellow tones.
Care
Helenium are a hardy perennial flowering in late summer and autumn, prefer a well drained soil. Grows to 1m and with yellow through orange to red flowers can make an interesting cut flower. Cut right back in winter fertilize during main growth period. Helenium are frost tolerant, heat tolerant and even wind tolerant.
- Plant in early winter in a humus rich soil.
- Best suited in a soil that will maintain some moisture through summer.
- Water in new plants with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Try to find a position protected form strong winds to help lower evaporation as well as protect the flowers.
These are a late flowering plant, producing best flowers from summer through to autumn.
Pruning Helenium
Plants can be pruned back in late winter to early spring. This tidies up the plants and promotes a bushy growth habit.
This is also a good time to fertilise using a general purpose slow release type, or your favourite seaweed fertiliser.
Helenium plants are avaialble from the following growers
Little Hampton, Vic 345
"Mail order nursery specialising in cottage garden perennials, flowering shrubs, Trilliums, Hostas and Pacific Coast Iris. Flat rate express postage - Except WA & TAS"
www.botanicaltreasures.com
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
'Umbango' 750 Humula Rd, Humula NSW 2652
Phone 0408692773 Great Range of Perennial plants available for sale by mail order.
www.nutshellnursery.com.au