Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a perennial plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale).
This plant has several common names including: autumn sneezeweed, sneezeweed, autumn Helen flower, autumn sneezewort, dog fennel, ox eye, smooth Helen flower, swamp sunflower or yellow star.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: autumn sneezeweed, sneezeweed, autumn Helen flower, autumn sneezewort, dog fennel, ox eye, smooth Helen flower, swamp sunflower, yellow star
Scientific name: Helenium autumnale
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Wildflower meadow
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) – C T Johansson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.
They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.
Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.
But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.
Other types of Helenium to consider:
See all Helenium
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Helenium autumnale likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Autumn sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) – Aaron Carlson from Menomonie, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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