Description
Coppery orange/red daisy like flowers with burnt orange centres. Made very popular by Piet Oudolf and appear in many of his planting schemes. Heleniums are a good choice for height but may need support in windy gardens. The bobble in the middle of the flower and the stalk remain when the plant has died back creating some pleasing Winter interest.
Height and spread: 1.25m Height, 0.6m Spread
Common name: Sneezeweed
Position in the garden: Full sun
Soil type: Moderately fertile, moist well drained soil.
Flowering period: June to August
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Goes well with:
Flowers - Achillea ‘Cloth of gold’ (yarrow), Rudbeckia occidentalis (western coneflower), Eryngium Agavifolium (sea holly), Sanguisorba officials ‘Red Buttons’ (burnet).
Grasses - Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ (tufted hair grass), Stipa tenuissima (feather grass).
Care of Helenium Moerheim Beauty
Young plants are prone to slug attack so use an organic wildlife friendly pellet in the early stages of growth. Tall varieties will need to be staked if not grown with a support plant. Deadhead spent flowers down to side shoots with flower buds to encourage repeat flowering. After flowering cut back to half height to help prevent mildew.
Plants can be divided in Spring when new growth has started and has reached approx 7cm high, new clumps should be planted out with plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost to keep the roots moist. Cut down to soil level in March before new growth begins.
Wildlife benefits
Very good pollen and nectar source for bees and overflies, nectar source for butterflies.
