Helenium bigelovii, 'Tip Top'

Genus: Helenium

Species: bigelovii

Variety: 'Tip Top'

Family Name: Compositae/Asteraceae

Seed Catalogue No.: 670W

English Name(s): Sneezeweed

Hardiness: Hardy

Lifecycle: Perennial

Suitable for: Cut Flowers

Colour: Yellow/Orange

Flowers: July, August, September

Lighting Conditions: Full Sun

Soil Type: Clay, Chalk, Sand, Loam

Soil Acidity: Alkaline, Neutral, Acid

Moisture: Well-drained

Germination Instructions

Sow indoors. Surface sow onto moist well-drained seed compost. Just cover with a fine sprinkling of soil. Propagate 18-20°C. Do not exclude light. Germination takes 14-21 days but can be erratic. If germination does not occur cold stratify. Move to -4-+4°C for 2-4 weeks then return to warmth. Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on in cooler conditions 12-15°C. Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed with 50cm spacing. Autumn sowings can be overwintered in a cold frame and planted out the following spring.

Growing Instructions

Prefers any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. May require staking. If wilting occurs water deeply.

Cultivation Instructions

Deadhead to prolong flowering window. Once flowering ceases and the plant dies back the stems should be cut down. Will benefit from an annual application of organic fertiliser in spring. Divide in the spring every 3 years.

When to Sow

• Sow Under Cover/Plant Indoors
• Flowers/Harvest

Approximate number of seeds per packet: 37

Please note we pack the majority of our seeds by volume so the number of seeds indicated is only an approximation.