Helenium, a vibrant perennial: planting and care

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Helenium is a perennial that graces our gardens and patios from July until the first frosts.

Key Helenium facts:

Name: Helenium
Common name: sneezeweed
Family: Asteraceae
Type: perennial

Height: 16 inches to 28 inches (40 to 70 cm)
Exposure: sunny
Soil: regular
Blooming: June to November.

To know about planting and care, read on: you’ll happily nurture beautiful heleniums!

Helenium planting

It’s best to plant helenium in the spring. Even though blooms come in summer, spring planting means strong roots to withstand autumn and winter’s challenges.

• Set young plants in spring.
• Opt for amended, well-draining soil.
• Pick a sunny spot for better blooms.
• Water well after planting.

Size, care, and watering of Helenium:

Helenium asks for little care, just regular watering if it doesn’t rain.

• As flowers fade, remove them; this encourages new blooms.
• Water when soil is dry, especially for potted use. Remember, Chrysanthemums thrive in moist soil.
• Don’t wet the foliage. It keeps diseases like rust and powdery mildew at bay.
• After first frosts, when flowers start to darken, snip stems down to ground level.

Every 2 to 3 years, consider splitting the clump in spring or fall. It refreshes the plant and boosts its energy.

Common Helenium diseases

While Helenium stands strong, it sometimes faces a few pests and diseases. Yet, you can avoid these. Keeping foliage dry and giving each plant space goes a long way towards eliminating problems.

• Powdery mildew: A white film coats leaves and stems.
• Rust: Pustules pop up on leaf undersides.
• Aphids: Leaves curl and eventually drop.

Learn more about helenium

Helenium hails from North America, often found near swamps.

Known for their pink, red, orange, and yellow hues, they bring vibrancy to any space.

Helenium blooms from summer through late, even into November or December. Their appearance enlivens gardens when other flowers start to wane.

Many love planting them in pots to brighten up balconies and patios.

• For this purpose, pick a quality flowering plant soil mix. It retains moisture, something this plant craves (another option is to add hydrogel to the potting mix).

Chrysanthemums adapt well. They look great in garden beds, pots, or planters, and also beautify a flowerbed.

Smart tip about helenium

Want to pick your color? Buy them in nursery pots when they start to bloom and then plant them in your garden.