Helenium species make a wonderful addition to most summer gardens. With good sun and moderate water, these plants will bloom for many weeks, beginning in early summer. They attract many native bees, including sweat bees, bumble bees, long-horned bees and leafcutter bees. On the west coast, Helenium is a magnet for Agapostemon (green sweat bees) and Coelioxys (cuckoo bees).

 

Native Regions

Nationwide United States and Canada

 

Availability

Routinely available and easily grown in most parts of North America

 

Duration

Perennial

 

Bloom Time

Summer, fall

 

Average Height

3 feet

 

Flower Color

Yellow

Orange 

 

Exposure

Full sun

 

Water Requirements

Average to wet

 

Recommended Species

Helenium autumnale (common sneezeweed) is routinely available and can be grown in most parts of the United States and Canada, though it prefers moist soils.

 

Helenium flexuosum (purplehead sneezeweed) requires less moisture and is native to the eastern United States and Canada.

 

Several hardy garden cultivars exist, such as Helenium ‘Mardi gras’, which can be grown in most soils and will produce vivid yellow and orange blooms for six to eight weeks, beginning in mid-summer.