Last month, we were talking about 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.
I'm planning ahead for fall. I've got vegetable seedings biding their time, until there's space in the garden. I've stopped pinching back the mums and asters. Now I'm looking for some bargains at the garden center.
I've always loved Helenium, aka sneezeweed, but my plants have been disappearing over the past few years. So it's on my list to replace. The colors are just so rich and saturated and the dark center disk gives the flowers the look of antique brooches. Obviously I'm smitten. Take a peak at How to Grow Helenium, then check out these top varieties, chosen by Dutch growers, and see if you don't love it too.
Afterall, it is almost time to think about flowers for the fall garden. (I'm very sorry to have to say that.)
Photo: © Marie Iannotti
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