9 fiery heleniums for borders
3 Red ‘Moerheim Beauty’ AGM
Recommended by David Warden, this old variety has copper-ruby flowers from July to September that take on gold and rust tones as they mature. Plant in welldrained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 3-4ft (90-120cm),
‘Sophie zur Linden’
This upright sneezeweed produces richred and sunset-orange daisies that bring warmth to the middle of the border from mid-summer into early autumn. Plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 2-2.5ft (60-75cm).
‘Red Army’
Bees love the rich cherry-red daisies of this helenium when they bloom between July and September. As they mature, the petals sometimes take on ochre tints. Plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 3-4ft (90-120cm).
3 Orange ‘Chipperfield Orange’
Described by David Warden as “outstanding”, this tall form has reddishterracotta blooms with a golden halo around the brown cones from August to October. Full sun in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil. H: 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m).
‘Waltraut’ AGM
Forms a reliable upright clump of burntorange daisies that are tipped deepyellow around a central protruding brown and gold boss from July to September. Plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 2.5-3ft (75-90cm).
‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ AGM
This widely grown sneezeweed has a long flowering period into October and takes on a variety of sunset shades: caramel, gold and dark-orange. Plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 2.5-3ft (75-90cm).
Multi-colour 3 H. autumnale ‘Fuego’
Part of the Mariachi Series, this relatively new sneezeweed forms a small clump of yellow, rust-orange and red flowers from August into October. Plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 20in (50cm).
‘Luc’ AGM
Rated by David Warden and arguably better than ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’, this helenium has large ruby, russet-orange and gold flowers from early July. Plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 2.5-3ft (75-90cm).
‘Rauchtopas’
Recommended by David Warden, the attractive daisy flowers are a beautiful shade of gold on top with red-orange undersides. Plant in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in full sun. H: 3-4ft (90-120cm).