Name:    Helenium autumnale aka common sneezeweed or Helen’s flower.

Type of Plant:  This summer to fall flowering perennial is native to much of North America. Hardy in zones 3-8, there are many named cultivars of different sizes and a range of colors in oranges and yellows.

It isn’t called sneezeweed because the pollen makes you sneeze…it’s called that because in the past people (why?) dried it and inhaled it like snuff. Yikes.

Why I Love this Plant:  These are cheerful flowers that are good in perennial gardens or wildflower meadows. They make good flowers for cutting as well.

A Word to the Wise:  These perennials like a regularly watered soil, and even do well in rain gardens. Since their foliage isn’t especially attractive once the flowers finish, if you’re growing them in a tended perennial garden instead of a wild-flower meadow you might want to plant them behind things that continue to look good into the fall, such as Baptisia.

Helenium isn’t usually eaten by bunnies or deer. It can get powdery mildew in humid conditions, and can also get leaf-spot if hit frequently with irrigation, so water it deeply but not frequently.

Look for named cultivars that are the color and size that you like.

Note that this plant is poisonous to people, pets and livestock if eaten in large quantities. I guess that’s why the rabbits and deer leave it alone!

This is ‘Moerheim Beauty.’ a popular cultivar of Helenium that flowers a bit earlier than the species.

The straight species, here in flower in late September in a field with mountain mint and asters.

Note that if this plant dries out before it flowers the foliage can be less than attractive. If you plant this behind another perennial that still looks good through September, such dried or mildew-filled leaves will be hidden.