Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Brown | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red Brown | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Helenium may be upright, clump-forming annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials with simple leaves and showy daisy-like flower-heads over a long period
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in fertile, moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil. Keep well watered in summer dry spells. Tall stems may need support (see staking perennials). Divide every two to three years to maintain vigour
Propagation
Propagate by basal softwood cuttings in spring, or by division in spring or late autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required, but chopping or pinching out a section of plants in late spring can result in bushier growth that flowers slightly later, hiding leggy stems. Deadheading will also prolong flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to stem and bulb eelworm, tortrix moth, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, leaf spot, verticillium wilt and virus diseases
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.