Helen's Flower (Helenium autumnale)
Native Perennial
Seed Count: approx. 80
Days to Germinate: 30 days of cold, moist stratification is necessary; see https://rochesterpollinators.org/pages/winter for more info
Depth to Sow: 1/4"
Seed Spacing: Once the seedling is 2” tall, plant 1’ apart.
Color: yellow
Height: 2' to 5'
Bloom Time: July - August
Sun Exposure: Full Sun - Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist - Medium
Soil Type: Moist, clay soils
Attracts: Butterflies, Bees, Flies and Beetles
Natural Habitat: Disturbed Soils throughout most of the USA
Drought Tolerance: high
Deer Resistance: high
Larval Host: Dainty Sulphur Butterfly
Native Zone: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Description
Helen's Flower requires a damp site--could be good for a rain garden. This perennial is tall and erect with many elongate leaves and numerous flower heads. It has a winged stem bearing yellow, daisy-like flower heads with fan-shaped, drooping rays; disk flowers forming a conspicuous, greenish-yellow, ball-like structure at center of head. The flowers have raised centers and wedge-shaped, yellow petals which end in three teeth. It is a member of the Aster family.
Information from www.wildflower.org