Helenium bigelovii (var. superbum) 'THE BISHOP'

Helen’s flower (sneezeweed) is an attractive herbaceous perennial for summer and autumn borders. Newer cultivars are selected for extended blooming time or different colour play, and often also for shorter growth because sneezeweed is originally a tall plant.

Bigelow’s sneezeweed is a helenium species named after an American physician and botanist John Milton Bigelow (1804-1878). Unlike most other tall growing autumn helenium it has handsome foliage formed in basal rosettes even after you cut off stems with spent flowers. Leaves are bright green, narrowly ovate to lanceolate and perfectly resistant to powdery mildew.

The Bishop is a Bigelow’s sneezeweed variety which was formerly classifies as a selection only called var. superbum. It blooms early, from late June until late July or early August, and makes bright yellow flowers with large, chocolate-brown, spherical heads covered with tiny yellow stamens and hiding plenty of nectar for winged insects.

Sneezeweed will grow in almost soil type but prefers fertile, reasonably drained but constantly moist soil and full sun. It hates drought. It is recommended to divide every 2-4 years to encourage new roots and young plants. All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if eaten. Fully hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 02-11-2022