Helen’s Flower
Helenium autumnale
Helen’s Flower is an erect, native perennial with multiple elongate leaves and numerous, vivid, yellow flower heads. The daisy-like flower heads have fan-shaped, drooping rays that end in three teeth, and disk flowers that form a green-yellow, spherical structure in center of the head. Helen’s Flower blooms in late summer and early fall (August-November), ending the season with warm, vibrant colors. Another common name for this plant is “sneezeweed” but don’t let that name fool you. This name does not imply allergy concerns, but rather describes the history of indigenous cultures crushing the flower heads and snuffing them to induce sneezing & thereby clearing congestion. These plants were propagated from seeds collected from our preserves, so don’t miss out on adding this plant to your garden or meadow!
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; medium to moist soil
Size: 2′ – 5′ tall
Zone: 3 – 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract butterflies and various bees; seeds eaten by birds in late fall and winter
