Plant DetailShow Menu

Helenium

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
hel-EN-ee-um
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Helenium is a genus of annuals and herbaceous perennials having yellow or orange-to-red daisy-like flowers. The genus is named after Helen of Troy.

Potential problems:  powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust. In high wind or heavy rain, the stalks may need support.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Helbro’ Mardis Gras®
  • Helenium 'Carnival'
    Petals roll up showing orange underside
  • Helenium 'Ruby Tuesday'
    Dark red with yellow center
‘Helbro’ Mardis Gras®, Helenium 'Carnival', Helenium 'Ruby Tuesday'
Tags:
#poisonous#riparian#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#wetlands#stream banks#NC native#deer resistant#thickets#native garden#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#HS302#weed#boggy sites#wildflower#pasture
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Helbro’ Mardis Gras®
  • Helenium 'Carnival'
    Petals roll up showing orange underside
  • Helenium 'Ruby Tuesday'
    Dark red with yellow center
‘Helbro’ Mardis Gras®, Helenium 'Carnival', Helenium 'Ruby Tuesday'
Tags:
#poisonous#riparian#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#wetlands#stream banks#NC native#deer resistant#thickets#native garden#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#HS302#weed#boggy sites#wildflower#pasture
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Helenium
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Powdered leaves and flower heads were used in the treatment of colds and congestion by inducing sneezing. Indians used an infusion of the leaves as a laxative.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    USA
    Distribution:
    Eastern US and Canada, Midwest and Gulf States
    Wildlife Value:
    Food plant of butterfly larvae
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Wheel
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow, in convex heads with 3-lobed ray flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, glandular-dotted
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Salivation, elevated temperature and pulse, vomiting, convulsions, and difficulty in breathing,
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Sesquiterpene lactone
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems