'Sneezeweed' or 'Helen's Flower' (hell-EE-nee-um: au-tum-NAIL-ee)
Most
likely a hybrid cross from a few different species but sold under this name. Plants grow 3 to 4 feet
tall. They have many daisy-like flowers with smooth cone-like centers. The flowers are different shades of red
and gold, plus combinations of attractive bicolors. Butterflies and birds love this plant and they
make nice cut flowers too. blooms in late summer and early fall. Will bloom the second year.
Flowering stems can be shorted by topping off the plant in late June, just pinch off the top
growing point, which produces a more branched flowering display. Plants do not cause people to
sneeze but bloom the same time many of the ragweed's do.
The genus is named after Helen of Troy and the species name means 'of the
fall' because plants bloom in the fall. Full sun in moist soils but doing very well in normal good
garden soils. Divide up clumps every three years by simply digging them up in spring and pulling
them apart and replanting.
Zones 3-8
Native from eastern and south central
united states. Surface sow seeds, light needed for
best germination, use F 70, 10-18 days.
100 seeds
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