Dancing in the Wind and Reaching for the Light
Helenium is a genus of annuals and deciduous herbaceous perennials in the sunflower family native to the Americas.
They bear yellow or orange daisy-like composite flowers. A number of these species (particularly Helenium autumnale) have the common name sneezeweed, based on the former use of their dried leaves in making snuff. It was inhaled to cause sneezing that would supposedly rid the body of evil spirits. Larger species may grow up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall.
The genus is named for Helen of Troy, daughter of Zeus and Leda. Helenium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Phymatopus behrensii.
Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use - mainly from H. autumnale and H. bigelovii. They are useful for late summer and fall bloom, usually in less formal compositions. They are appropriate for native gardens in areas where they are indigenous, and they look wonderfully in bouquets. Annual species are easily grown from seed, and perennials should be divided every year in order to retain their vigor. The soil should be fertile with a generous amount of organic manner in the form of compost, manure or other decayed organic matter in addition to, perhaps, an application of a complete fertilizer in spring. Heleniums should be grown in full sun average to moist soil with good drainage. They are drought tolerant, but should be watered on planting and regularly until established. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
'Baudirektor Linne'[10]
'Blütentisch'[11]
'Butterpat'[12]
'Feuersiegel'[13]
'Gartensonne'[14]
'Karneol'[15]
'Moerheim Beauty'[16]
'Ring of Fire'[17]
'Rubinzwerg'[18]
'Sahin's Early Flowerer'[19]
'Waltraut'[20]
'Wesergold'[21]
Helenium Hybrid has brilliant yellow petals surrounding spherical brown cones covered with golden pollen. It grows to 0.9 metres (3 ft) tall and takes up about 0.6 metres (2 ft) of space, the hardiness zone rating is 4-9. Its Flowers appear for six weeks from mid to late summer and attract butterflies in droves. It provides a splash of colour when many other perennials are starting to fade, it may accompany ornamental grasses, Phlox and Liatris.
The UK National Collection of Heleniums is located at Yew Tree House, Hall Lane, Hankelow near Audlem in Cheshire.
For further information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helenium and www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/pere...
These heleniums were photographed at Pashley Manor Gardens. At Pashley you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas – the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening, an appetite for beauty and an admiration of the tradition of the English Country garden. These graceful gardens, on the border of Sussex and Kent, are family owned and maintained – visitors often express delight at the attention to detail displayed throughout and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere.
All the ingredients of the English Country Garden are present – sweeping herbaceous borders, ha-ha, well maintained lawns, box hedges, espaliered rose walk, historic walled garden, inspiring kitchen garden, venerable trees and the Grade I listed house as a backdrop. The gardens are a haven for wildlife – bees, butterflies and small birds as well as moor hens, ducks and a black swan. Then, of course, the plants! Borders overflowing with perennials and annuals – the look changing through the seasons, but always abundantly filled, and each garden ‘room’ planted in a different colour theme.
Pashley is also renowned for fantastic displays of tulips, roses and dahlias. Our annual Tulip Festival features more than 48,000 tulips this year! During Special Rose Week over a hundred varieties of rose swathe the walls, climb obelisks and bloom in flower beds. Then in late summer our Dahlia Days event transforms the gardens once more with bountiful, brightly coloured dahlias in every border and pot.
Add to all this a Café and Terrace with excellent garden views, serving delicious homemade lunches, scones and cakes; Sculpture and Art Exhibitions; a Gift Shop with Plant Sales; and a friendly, knowledgeable team waiting to welcome you, and the recipe for a wonderful day out is complete.
For more information please visit www.pashleymanorgardens.com/
Dancing in the Wind and Reaching for the Light
Helenium is a genus of annuals and deciduous herbaceous perennials in the sunflower family native to the Americas.
They bear yellow or orange daisy-like composite flowers. A number of these species (particularly Helenium autumnale) have the common name sneezeweed, based on the former use of their dried leaves in making snuff. It was inhaled to cause sneezing that would supposedly rid the body of evil spirits. Larger species may grow up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall.
The genus is named for Helen of Troy, daughter of Zeus and Leda. Helenium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Phymatopus behrensii.
Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use - mainly from H. autumnale and H. bigelovii. They are useful for late summer and fall bloom, usually in less formal compositions. They are appropriate for native gardens in areas where they are indigenous, and they look wonderfully in bouquets. Annual species are easily grown from seed, and perennials should be divided every year in order to retain their vigor. The soil should be fertile with a generous amount of organic manner in the form of compost, manure or other decayed organic matter in addition to, perhaps, an application of a complete fertilizer in spring. Heleniums should be grown in full sun average to moist soil with good drainage. They are drought tolerant, but should be watered on planting and regularly until established. The following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
'Baudirektor Linne'[10]
'Blütentisch'[11]
'Butterpat'[12]
'Feuersiegel'[13]
'Gartensonne'[14]
'Karneol'[15]
'Moerheim Beauty'[16]
'Ring of Fire'[17]
'Rubinzwerg'[18]
'Sahin's Early Flowerer'[19]
'Waltraut'[20]
'Wesergold'[21]
Helenium Hybrid has brilliant yellow petals surrounding spherical brown cones covered with golden pollen. It grows to 0.9 metres (3 ft) tall and takes up about 0.6 metres (2 ft) of space, the hardiness zone rating is 4-9. Its Flowers appear for six weeks from mid to late summer and attract butterflies in droves. It provides a splash of colour when many other perennials are starting to fade, it may accompany ornamental grasses, Phlox and Liatris.
The UK National Collection of Heleniums is located at Yew Tree House, Hall Lane, Hankelow near Audlem in Cheshire.
For further information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helenium and www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/pere...
These heleniums were photographed at Pashley Manor Gardens. At Pashley you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas – the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening, an appetite for beauty and an admiration of the tradition of the English Country garden. These graceful gardens, on the border of Sussex and Kent, are family owned and maintained – visitors often express delight at the attention to detail displayed throughout and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere.
All the ingredients of the English Country Garden are present – sweeping herbaceous borders, ha-ha, well maintained lawns, box hedges, espaliered rose walk, historic walled garden, inspiring kitchen garden, venerable trees and the Grade I listed house as a backdrop. The gardens are a haven for wildlife – bees, butterflies and small birds as well as moor hens, ducks and a black swan. Then, of course, the plants! Borders overflowing with perennials and annuals – the look changing through the seasons, but always abundantly filled, and each garden ‘room’ planted in a different colour theme.
Pashley is also renowned for fantastic displays of tulips, roses and dahlias. Our annual Tulip Festival features more than 48,000 tulips this year! During Special Rose Week over a hundred varieties of rose swathe the walls, climb obelisks and bloom in flower beds. Then in late summer our Dahlia Days event transforms the gardens once more with bountiful, brightly coloured dahlias in every border and pot.
Add to all this a Café and Terrace with excellent garden views, serving delicious homemade lunches, scones and cakes; Sculpture and Art Exhibitions; a Gift Shop with Plant Sales; and a friendly, knowledgeable team waiting to welcome you, and the recipe for a wonderful day out is complete.
For more information please visit www.pashleymanorgardens.com/