Helenium puberulum ‘Autumn Lollipop’- ( Helen’s Flower, Rosilla)

Description

Picture thanks to Thompson and Morgan

This plant has curious ball shaped heads in brown colours with a small yellow skirt of petals. It makes a decorative plant in the garden and is loved as a cut flower and is also prized for its drying abilities. The flower heads are extremely attractive to bees and butterflies, and golfinches which love the seed. Plant in full sun to light shade , and in soil which gets regular moisture such as stream seeps , but it will also tolerate some drought.

Sowing advice
Plant in autumn and spring.
Sow onto the surface of moist well-drained seed raising mix in pots or trays. Just sprinkle finely with soil, as light is required for germination. Propagate at 18-20°C. Germination takes 14-21 days but can be erratic. If germination does not occur, cover the pot with a plastic bag and put in the fridge or (place outside if your temperatures are at about 4 deg C) for 2-4 weeks then return to warmth. Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on in cooler conditions 12-15°C. Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed with 50cm spacing. Autumn sowings can be overwintered in a sheltered position under glass and planted out the following spring.