6 ideas for pairing Helenium

In a sunny border

In a naturalistic composition with minimal maintenance, Heleniums blend effortlessly with other perennials that, like them, require little care. With their heads in fiery tones, just a few clumps of Helenium are enough to add volume and colour to an exuberant summer display, always providing a strong chromatic presence. Use the tallest varieties with solid colours, such as ‘Tijuana Brass’ or ’Kugelsonne’, to bring relief and a natural feel to the back of the border (remember to stake them). Also consider Cephalaria gigantea, a giant scabious with sulphur-yellow heads that can reach 2 m in height.

Position your Heleniums alongside perennials that thrive on their own, becoming more opulent and floriferous each year, such as yellow daylilies, like ‘Corky’ with its golden-yellow flowers, a Dahlia ‘Kelvin Floodlight’, or a Kniphofia ‘Tawny King’, along with Echinaceas, Oriental Poppies, and Rudbeckia in the same warm hues.

Soften and lighten this natural tableau with a few clumps of grasses with a gentle habit that will provide a counterpoint to the bold silhouette of the Heleniums (Stipas, Molinies, Miscanthus, or Calamagrostis).

Helenium ‘Tijuana Brass’, in a border with Rudbeckias hirta ‘Prairie Sun’, Calamagrostis, daylilies, and the stunning Cephalaria gigantea

In mixed border

In a cheerful and rebellious atmosphere, mix Heleniums with Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Echinaceas, Daisies, Agastaches, Helianthus, or Coreopsis. Bring a contrast of hue with Echinops and Eryngiums in steel blue. Perennial chrysanthemums and Achilleas will accompany their flowering until the gates of autumn.

Helenium ‘Fancy Fan’ (in the centre), alongside some Achilleas, Crocosmias ‘Lucifer’, red Chrysanthemums, and blue Eryngiums

In a vibrant border

The vibrant colours of Helenium are enough to add character to a border throughout summer and into early autumn. Choose compact varieties, such as ‘Short’n Sassy’ and ‘Siesta’, which form small, bushy, and highly floriferous plants 40 to 55 cm tall. Complete with mini gladioli, Daylilies ‘Thumbelina’, Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ and dwarf varieties of dahlias (Happy Single, dwarf cacti). Add heucheras to enhance these warm tones. You will create a slightly wild flowerbed rich in colour.

Helenium ‘Short’n Sassy’, Heuchera, Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’, and the small Daylily ‘Thumbelina’

In contrast to grasses

With their proudly upright stems, sometimes coarse foliage, and vividly coloured flowers with a strong character, Heleniums introduce vigorous accents into a display. The grasses with a more airy habit will be the ideal companions to balance the somewhat stiff silhouette of the Heleniums. These wild herbs bring texture, movement, and lightness. All Heleniums integrate within a profusion of grasses formed of Hordeum jubatum, Molinia arundinacea ‘Windsaule’, Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldschleier’, or the delicate Pennisetum.

Spicy pairings...

An exotic scene to reserve for the hottest and sunniest corners of the garden! At the height of summer, it will burst forth with the most exuberant colours and the wildest tones. Choose heleniums in spicy colours; there are plenty to choose from: Helenium ‘Flammenspiel’, ‘Potter’s Wheel’, ‘Poncho’, or even Helenium ‘Waldtraut’. Pair them with some tall Cannas ‘Durban’, Kniphofias, Achilleas such as ‘Feuerland’, ‘Walter Funcke’, or Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’, and echinaceas like ‘Colourburst Orange’ and ‘Tomato Soup’. For a Catalan-inspired garden, plant beautiful Crocosmias at their feet and in the background, love lies bleeding.

Grasses in straw tones, such as clumps of Stipa pennata, will calm things down a bit and help balance and nuance the overall effect.

Heleniums ‘Waldtraut’ in the centre, paired with the warm tones of Rudbeckia ‘Tomato Soup’, Achillea ‘Paprika’, and love lies bleeding. The lightness of Stipa pennata completes the ensemble.

Or complementary!

Heleniums are appreciated for their explosive tones, which sometimes need to be tempered. Their intense colours can easily be paired with cool complementary shades. To calm the fiery hues of their incandescent blooms, opt for the silvery foliage of wormwoods (Wormwood ‘Powis Castle’, Artemisia arborescens ‘Little Mice’), blue fescues, and the grey, velvety leaves of Stachys. Blue Phlox paniculata (‘Blue Paradise’), Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, and a hardy geranium ‘Orion’ will contribute to this warm/cool contrast.

Helenium hoopesi, Festuca glauca, Geranium ‘Orion’, Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ and Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’

For a beautiful autumn atmosphere

Heleniums create stunning late summer displays. The helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ and ‘Moerheim Beauty’ fit perfectly into an autumn border bursting with vibrant reds, oranges, and brick tones. Structure the back of the border with a Japanese maple and a smoke tree that will add a variegated touch come autumn. Accent the scene with Aster novae-angliae ‘Septemberrubin’ featuring ruby-red flowers from September until the frosts. An orange heuchera like the variety ‘Ginger Ale’, a Chrysanthemum rubellum ‘Mary Stocker’ or ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’, and a Carex comans ‘Bronze Form’ will enhance these fiery late summer combinations.

To accompany autumn, pair Heleniums ‘Moerheim’s Beauty’ with some Heucheras ‘Ginger Ale’, a smoke tree, Carex comans ‘Bronze Form’, and a few Asters novae-angliae ‘Septemberrubin’