Helenium hoopesii - Sneezeweed

Helenium hoopesii is a tall perennial with abundant summer flowering. It is a natural variety originating from North America, and it is easy to cultivate, flowering earlier than other cultivated Heleniums. Planting Heleniums in your garden is an opportunity to create lovely bouquets and bring a country atmosphere even to well-designed flower beds.

Belonging to the Asteraceae family, Helenium hoopesii originates from North America. It can be found in wet meadows and thickets. The basal leaves form a rosette, then alternate along a tall stem that can reach 1m (3ft) in height. The leaves are lanceolate, narrow, very thick, and bluish-green in colour. The habit is upright and highly branched. The flower heads, measuring 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, resemble daisies gathered in corymbs. In the centre, an amber dome is surrounded by long sun-yellow florets that droop noticeably when mature.

Heleniums require a sunny location and thrive in cool to moist habitats, but tolerate all soils except very dry ones. Robust, bright, and easy to grow, Helenium hoopesii is attractive to pollinating insects and is highly resistant to diseases. It is also very hardy and prolific in flowering, making it ideal for cut flower arrangements. All these qualities make it highly desirable, yet it remains rare in gardens. However, in spring, the tender young shoots are a favourite snack for slugs. Be sure to protect them by setting up a few traps. Due to its taproot, division is difficult. Therefore, it is best to propagate through sowing. At the end of the season, remove faded flowers to encourage further blooming and extend the flowering period.

 Appreciate these golden hues under the low light of a setting sun and combine them with Crocosmiflora 'Emily McKenzie' or Kniphofia in the background of your flower bed to create a complete palette of warm colours.