Telekia speciosa

Telekia speciosa, sometimes called yellow Ox-eye or Splendid Telekia, is a large bushy perennial with rhizomes that produce impressive tall leafy stems, 2 metres (7 feet) high. It forms a beautiful mass of large dark green and aromatic leaves and flowers from summer to autumn with single daisy-like, golden yellow flowers with an orange centre. This resourceful plant nourishes birds and pollinators, bringing joy to borders and wildflower compositions at the end of the season. It thrives in ordinary but fertile, even clay or limestone, moist soil in full sun or light shade.

Telekia speciosa, also known as Buphtalmum speciosum, Telekia cordifolium, Telekia ovata, Inula caucasica, or Corvisartia caucasica, is a botanical species of the Asteraceae family, related to perennial sunflowers (Helianthus). Discovered in Transylvania, this rhizomatous plant with deep roots is native to mountainous regions in western and southwestern Europe, Georgia, Ukraine, southern and central Russia (from the Balkans to the Caucasus), and Turkey (humid clearings of Anatolia). This plant forms a large, erect branching clump which easily reaches 2 metres (7 feet) high with a 1-metre (3 feet) spread. It flowers from June-July to September-October and is loved by bees. Lots of flowers appear at the branched top of the stems, resembling perfectly round, 6 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) diameter, bright yellow daisies with an orange centre that turns brown and is marked by a circle, hence the name "ox-eye." The dark green, thick, aromatic, cordate at the base, triangular, doubly toothed deciduous leaves can reach up to 30 cm (12in) long, all the way up the stems. They are smooth on the upper surface and hairy on the underside. The small basal leaves do not exceed 10 cm (4in) long. Telekia speciosa easily naturalises through self-seeding.

This large perennial 'sunflower' has a long fragrant, nectar-rich flowering period and is adapted to cold and damp soils, even limestone. Telekia speciosa is an excellent non-invasive, long-lasting, vigorous perennial. It is perfect for the back of a border or bed, or the water's edge because it does not tolerate a combination of heat and drought well. It has a wild appearance and integrates well into slightly untamed areas of the garden, with cosmos, perennial sweet peas, giant scabious (Cephalaria gigantea), gaillardias, Japanese anemones, and hanging willowherb. Another idea would be to group it with equally easy plants: Vernonia noveboracensis, Symphyotrichum laeve var. 'Bluebird', Eupatorium fistulosum, Symphyotrichum georgianum, Andropogon virginicus, Muhlenbergia capillaris. Its flowers hold up very well when cut.