Helenium

Growing Guide

Bearing bold flowers in orange, red and yellow, Heleniums are a bright and cheerful addition to the garden border. This plant thrives in full sun and looks great mixed with other hot coloured flowers and ornamental grasses. They are also brilliant late summer plants for pollinators.

Flowering the first year from seed and a plant to provide colour and interest to your late summer border Helenium flowers in a rich spectrum of red, bronze and golden-yellow shades. Performs well in borders and, easily cut, making a welcome addition in a vase.

Sow February to June or September to October. Germinate seeds on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination. Do not exclude light at any stage, as this helps germination.

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm pots. Grow on in cool, well lit conditions. Autumn sowings should be overwintered in a cold-frame and planted out the following spring. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out 30cm apart.

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering period. Once flowering ceases and the plant begins to die back the stems should be cut down. 

TOP TIPS

Heleniums come from the hotter areas of the Americas and need the same warm and dry conditions. Placing them in partially shaded areas can result in leggy growth and fewer blooms. Protect from wind by planting in a sheltered position and add stakes to taller varieties.

In winter mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from extreme cold. However, be cautious not to cover the crown, as excess moisture and insulation can lead to rot. 

As a perennial, Heleniums will benefit from an annual application of fertiliser in spring. To prolong the life of the plant, divide in the spring every 3 years.