Plant profile - Helenium

A stalwart of the Genus summer garden, Helenium are herbaceous perennial plants native to the Americas.  They love a sunny spot and thrive in a wide range of soils, seeming to do particularly well in our free draining alkaline soil of The Cotswolds.

They go well in a mixed border but also associate well with grasses and many of the other later flowering perennials that make up the modern prairie style of planting.  We have half a dozen clumps, several of which lost their labels many years ago though the easily recognised ‘Moerheim Beauty’ thrives in the border next to the pond and, being of medium height, rarely needs staking.  Others can reach a height of six feet or more and need some support.

The alternative to staking is a mid season prune of the stems.  Often referred to as the Chelsea Chop, because it’s carried out around the time of The Chelsea Flower Show, the stems are reduced by a third to a half which promotes side shooting, giving more flowers, and a reduction in the eventual height.  Gardeners in windy locations will benefit from this operation. 

With over 150 varieties to choose from, it’s always good to know that there are a few tried and trusted varieties from which to choose.  At around 1metre high and with coppery red flowers ‘Moerheim Beauty’ is one we’d always recommend.  At a similar height is ‘Sahin’s early Flowerer’ with predominantly yellow flowers streaked with orange.  With coppery coloured flowers ‘Indian Summer’ reaches 120cm and is probably the latest flowering Helenium.  If you want to go even taller, ‘Vicky’ at 150cm has wonderful red picotee petals blending into its yellow borders.