SNEEZEWORT
Family COMPOSITAE
Helenium species
Perennial
A genus of about thirty species which includes
annuals and perennials native to North America
and Mexico; also called Helen Flower or Sneezewort.
Of erect growth, the leaves are lance-shaped and
the flowers, several on a stem, are composed of
wedge-shaped ray florets radiating from a central
disc.
Helenium autumnale is a tall species with varieties
ranging from two to six feet and varying in colour
from yellow to shades of chestnut-red.
Helenium a. var. pumilum magnificum reaches a height
of two feet with freely produced flowers of rich
yellow, two inches or more across.
A variation, probably originating from this species,
is Moerheim Beauty, mahogany-crimson.
Helenium bigelovii, from California, reaches three feet
with a central brown disc with yellow rays of
typical form, two to three inches across.
Heleniums are indispensable border plants and
grow well in full sun or partial shade in any
good garden soil that has been well cultivated.
Propagate by division of the roots in early autumn
or spring, or from seeds.
The flowering season is from July to October.
Helenium
Hardy Perennial.
Eighteen inches to three feet.
Flowers yellow, July to October.
Hardy and showy plants bearing abundance of flowers
like Marguerites or small Sunflowers. They flower
late into the autumn, and are excellent companions
to the Michaelmas Daisies. Good roots should be
put out either in November or March (the latter
for choice except on the driest and lightest soils);
the ground should be as deep and good as is practicable.
The following are the best kinds:
Helenium autumnale; tall, flowers golden yellow.
Helenium Bolanderi; yellow, with dark centre.
Helenium Hoopesii; deep yellow, June and July.
Helenium pumilum magnificum; very fine, June to October.
Of these Helenium Hoopesii may be easily raised from
seed sown in boxes about May and treated with
a little care as to shade and watering.
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