Brightening up late summer, these hardy, sun-thriving, versatile flowers with a cheerful disposition will revitalize your struggling garden.
Helenium, a popular perennial flower known for its bright, golden blooms, can be a stunning addition to any garden. Here's a guide on how to grow, care for, and companion plant Helenium for a thriving and colourful garden.
Propagating Helenium is best done by division or from basal cuttings in spring. However, new growth of Helenium can be susceptible to being swamped by more vigorous spring plants. To prevent this, it's recommended to keep young plants in a nursery area for the first year.
When it comes to staking, it's essential to observe and get to know your Helenium plants before staking. Taller Helenium plants, especially those heavy with flowers, are prone to flopping. A Chelsea chop, which involves cutting back the plant by about a third in late spring, can make the plant sturdier and reduce the risk of flopping.
Helenium pairs well with a variety of companion plants in a flower garden. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) complements Helenium for a late-season display as both flower into fall. Sedum provides attractive foliage and late-season flowers that extend garden interest, thriving in sun to partial shade.
Salvia species offer vibrant tubular blooms and come in bushy forms for added texture. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) and echinacea share similar daisy-like flowers and long blooming seasons with Helenium, making them great companions. Coreopsis adds bright yellow blooms and attracts pollinators, while asters provide purple flowers that nicely contrast with the golden tones of Helenium, especially in fall.
Together, these companions create a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden with extended bloom from mid-summer into autumn, enhancing both visual appeal and ecological value. In the south, in free-draining soil, early winter may provide the best window for planting Helenium.
If you're looking to purchase Helenium, consider visiting 'Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants' in Priory Lane Nursery, Freefolk Priors, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7FA, or 'Blooms of Bressingham' for mail order options. 'Dove Cottage Nursery' in Shibden, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX39XA also sells Helenium.
For support, two rows of string, one midway up the stems and another 20cm below the flowers, can offer good support for Helenium plants. When staking, a good, strong cane at the back of the plant with a ring of string encircling the perimeter stems can provide support.
Early flowering cultivars of Helenium can benefit from deadheading, which may prompt a second flush of flowers. A light feed (such as Growmore) can improve the second wave of flowers. In cold, wet soil, spring is probably the best time to plant Helenium. 'RHS Garden Bridgewater' in Worsley, Manchester M28 2LJ sells Helenium.
References:
[1] Gardening Know How. (n.d.). Growing Helenium. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/helenium/growing-helenium.htm
[2] The English Garden. (2020, August 1). How to grow helenium. Retrieved from https://www.theenglishgarden.com/advice/how-to-grow-helenium
[3] The Spruce. (2021, February 12). How to Grow and Care for Helenium. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/grow-and-care-for-helenium-2132947
[4] The RHS. (2020, March 2). How to grow helenium. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?id=358
[5] BBC Gardeners' World. (2021, July 1). Helenium. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/helenium-helenioides-20538651
Incorporating Helenium into home-and-garden lifestyle can lead to a thriving garden, as these flowers bring bright, golden blooms that complement various plants and create a pollinator-friendly environment. To ensure the success of Helenium in gardens, propagation can be done by division or basal cuttings in spring, and young plants should be kept in a nursery area for the first year to prevent them from being swamped by more vigorous spring plants.
