Sneezeweed Autumnale (Helenium Autumnale) - You'll enjoy this dazzling sight grown from Helenium seeds! These snazzy blooms of Autumn Sneezeweed have a prominent central cone of yellow or dark brown which highlights the bright petals of red or bold yellow. Included in this mix is also a few rich mahogany solids and some jazzy bi-color red-and-golds for contrast. Helenium Sneezeweed flowers bloom like crazy all over sun-loving plants from early summer right into fall -- a dazzling sight indoors or out!

Helenium flower seed is a native American perennial, so you know it is right at home in the sunny garden. The plant can reach 48 inches tall and 18 inches wide, with dozens of flowering stems. It is a magnet for bees, and it needs to be deadheaded to keep blooming. It makes a great cut flower, so take all you want because Helenium will just keep producing more blooms.

Helenium is also known as Common Sneezeweed or Dogtooth Daisy. This name was given because its foliage irritates the skin of some people. Wear gloves the first few times you handle the plant. The flowers, however, are allergen-free, so the cut flowers can be brought indoors for vases without any worry.

Sneezeweed seeds can take from 14 - 21 days to germinate, and temperatures needs to be at least 70F degrees for germination to take place. Cover the flower seed lightly with top soil. Once the plants are growing well, pinch them back in the spring by 8 - 10 inches, just above a new set of leaves. This will encourage bushier growth, but it will also delay blooming until later in the summer. Helenium plants need plenty of water throughout the growing season. Cut Autumn Sneezeweed back to the ground after flowering. It is a long-lived perennial that will thrive for many years in your garden. Divide the plant every few years for best results.

Helenium (Helenium puberulum Autumn Lollipop) - A curious plant for the front of the border. Autumn Lollipop boasts heads of rustic yellow and bronze with a small basal frill of ruffled petals. Highly ornate and also an extremely original cut flower.

Brown and yellow balls on sticks! Tough and easy, some would say this California native is small on petals, but big on balls - you should see it in full bloom May thru August where its "Lollipop" heads with itty-bitty golden yellow collars are borne on silvery stems. Reliably perennial, plant them at the front of bed or in a container for pronounced playfulness. Not fussy about soil, but blooms better with compost for sure. If you are looking to attract butterflies, this is the perfect option!  It also makes cool dried flowers. Easily self-sows! Super versatile, it doesn’t mind drought or moist conditions.