Helenium Flower Seeds

Helenium - Helenium Autumnale

Season: Perennial
Zones: 4 - 8
Height: 1 - 4 feet
Width: 18 inches
Bloom Season: Early Summer to Late Summer
Bloom Color: Mix
Environment: Full Sun,
Soil requirement: Wet, but well drained

What a smart new look for Helenium! These snazzy blooms sport a prominent central cone of yellow or dark brown, highlighting the bright petals of fire-engine red or bold yellow. We've even included a few rich mahogany solids and some jazzy bicolor red-and-golds for contrast! They bloom like crazy all over sun-loving plants from early summer right into fall -- a dazzling sight indoors or out!

Helenium flower seed is a native American perennial, so you know it's right at home in the sunny garden. The plant reaches 3 feet tall and 18 inches wide, with dozens of flowering stems. A magnet for bees, it needs to be deadheaded to keep blooming, so feel free to cut all the blooms you want for indoor arrangements -- you'll only encourage more to arise!

Helenium earned its unromantic common name of Sneezeweed because its foliage irritates the skin of some people. Wear gloves the first few times you handle the plant. The flowers, however, are allergen-free, so you can set vases all over the house without a moment's worry!

Seeds can take from 2-3 weeks to germinate, and like it around 70 degrees. Cover the seeds lightly with top soil. Once the plants are growing well, the plant can be pinched back in the spring by 8-10 inches, just above a new set of leaves. This will encourage bushier growth, but will also delay blooming until later in the summer. Cut back to the ground after flowering.

This long-lived perennial will thrive for many years in your garden, but flowers best when it is divided every few years. So share it with friends or begin a Bright Buttons garden of ever-increasing color!