Did you ever notice how some of the prettiest flowers have some of the most put-offish common names? Like lungwort and bugsbane, Helenium looks like a daisy dipped in M&M colors, yet it’s common name is "sneezeweed", or sometimes the less popular but no less unappealing "swamp sunflower". I’m told the name sneezeweed came about because Helenium’s leaves were once used for snuff. Well, ‘snuff said about that.
Sneezeweed does not make most people sneeze. My only gripe about helenium is that, like most late season bloomers, it doesn’t look like much most of the season. The leaves are unremarkable, although at least they make it through summer without being eaten or coated white with mildew. But come fall, you realize why Helenium is worth the wait. The colors are just so rich and saturated and the way the petals flank the dark center disk resembles an antique brooch. Obviously I’m smitten. Take a peak at Helenium and see if you don’t love it too.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti
Comments
How about “Scabiosa”! What an unappealing name for a pretty flower. In Califoria there is a lovely wild flower named “Fetid Adder’s Tongue”. I actually got down on my hands and knees to see if it smelled funny, I didn’t notice anything.
Ahhhhh,snuf.
That’s why it is called sneezeweed.Always wondered about that.
The flowers remind me a little of Cosmos.Just a little.
Driving around the area i notice that peoples Cosmos are doing fantastic this year.
4 to 5 feet and loaded with flowers.
i agree with the author, beautiful. also, my cosmos are on steroids! they are huge and beautiful. crowded out the veggies i planted near by.
I guess they do look a little like cosmos. Not nearly as prolific, though. I made the mistake of letting some cosmos seed into my vegetable garden and almost lost sight of my zucchini.
I’m surprised “Fetid Adder’s Tongue” doesn’t smell bad. Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)lives up to it’s name.