Helenium
Helenium autumnale
A vibrant, upright perennial producing masses of warm-toned daisy flowers in shades of bronze, copper, orange, red, and yellow from July to October. Heleniums are the backbone of late summer and autumn borders in UK gardens, providing reliable colour when many other perennials have finished. Their nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees and hoverflies.
How to grow helenium
Plant in spring in fertile, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. Heleniums perform poorly in dry soil, so add plenty of organic matter to sandy or chalky ground before planting. Space plants 45 cm apart. Pinch out the growing tips of taller varieties by a third in late May — the Chelsea Chop — to reduce height, prevent flopping, and extend the flowering season. Stake tall varieties with grow-through supports placed in April before the stems reach full height. Water during prolonged dry spells and mulch annually with compost. Divide every two to three years in spring to keep clumps vigorous and prevent the centre dying out.
Pruning
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering well into October. Cut all stems back to ground level in late autumn once the foliage has died down. Remove any weak or crowded stems in spring, keeping the strongest five to seven per clump.
Propagation
- Division in spring
- Basal cuttings in spring
Common problems
- Leaf spot in wet summers
- Powdery mildew
- Clump centres dying out without regular division
Good companions
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