Common Name: sneezeweed
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: August to October
Bloom Description: Copper-yellow rays and brown center disk
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Rain Garden
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Wet Soil
Culture
Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun. Intolerant of dry soils. Avoid overfertilization which may cause plants to grow too tall. Although not required, plants may be cut back in early July (at least 6 weeks before normal flowering) to reduce plant height and encourage branching, thus leading to a more floriferous bloom, healthier foliage and less need for support. Remove spent flowers to encourage additional bloom. Divide clumps every three years to maintain vigor.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Helenium is a genus of about 40 species of annuals and hebaceous perennials from North and Central America. They are found mostly in damp meadows and along the edges of woods. They have a long season of bloom.
Genus name comes from the Greek name helenion which is the name of a Greek plant which honors Helen of Troy. It is unclear as to the relevance of Helen of Troy to the within genus of plants which are exclusively native to North and South America.
Powdered disk flowers and leaves of this species have in the past been dried and used as snuff, thus giving rise to the common name of sneezeweed.
“Wyndley’ is an erect, clump-forming, sneezeweed that grows 24-30” tall on rigid, distinctively winged stems which branch near the top. It features daisy-like flowers (2-3” diameter) with distinctive, reflexed, wedge-shaped, coppery-yellow rays (three-lobed at the tips) and prominent, dome-like, dark brown center disks. Flowers appear over a lengthy late summer to autumn (sometimes to first frost) bloom. Alternate, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 6” long).
Problems
Susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot and rust. Most heleniums benefit from staking or other support. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Borders. Also effective in prairies, meadows, cottage gardens, wild gardens or in moist soils along bodies of water. Suitable for use as a cut flower.