Helenium Mardi Gras

Description

Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’ – sneezeweed

Botanical name: Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’
Common names: Helenium, sneezeweed
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 75–90cm tall × 60cm spread
Foliage: Lance-shaped green leaves on strong upright stems; deciduous
Flowers: Masses of daisy flowers in vivid orange, streaked and splashed with gold and red, around a dark chocolate-brown cone, from midsummer into autumn (July–September)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, reliably moist but well-drained; dislikes drying out; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 3–8
Exposure: Open, sunny
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native to North America
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Low toxicity; may cause stomach upset if eaten, and the foliage can irritate skin

Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’ is a vivid sneezeweed with orange daisies streaked gold and red around a dark cone, from midsummer into autumn. Fiery, festive colour and a magnet for late pollinators.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the great plants of the late-summer border, helenium carries masses of warm, fiery daisy flowers — in rich shades of gold, copper, orange and mahogany — each with a prominent, velvety domed central cone, from midsummer well into autumn. Upright, sturdy and generous, it brings glowing hot colour just as the garden begins to fade, and its flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in fertile, reliably moist but well-drained soil in full sun — heleniums are hungry, thirsty plants that dislike drying out, which causes them to wilt, mildew and flower poorly. Improve the soil with compost. Space about 45–60cm apart. Water in dry spells.

Care & maintenance

Water and feed well; keep the soil from drying out. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Taller sorts may need support, or can be given the ‘Chelsea chop’ — cutting back by a third in late spring — for sturdier, bushier, self-supporting growth and slightly later flowers. Leave the seedheads for birds and winter structure, then cut back in late winter. Lift and divide every two to three years in spring to keep clumps vigorous.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.
• Cuttings: Take basal cuttings in spring.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in moist, fertile soil. Its main dislike is drought, which causes wilting and powdery mildew. Slugs may graze the young spring growth. Dividing regularly keeps clumps healthy and free-flowering.

Uses in the garden

Superb in late-summer, prairie-style, hot-coloured and wildlife borders, where its glowing daisies bring fiery colour from midsummer into autumn among grasses and other late perennials; excellent for cutting.

Wildlife value

One of the very best plants for late-season pollinators: the flowers are hugely attractive to bees and butterflies from midsummer into autumn, and the seedheads feed birds.

Toxicity & safety

Helenium has a low level of toxicity: it may cause stomach upset if eaten, and the foliage can cause skin irritation in sensitive people. Wear gloves when cutting it back, and discourage children and pets from eating it.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Mardi Gras’ lives up to its name — vivid orange daisies splashed and streaked with gold and red, each around a dark chocolate cone, giving a festive, carnival feel to a late-summer border. Heleniums are hungry and thirsty, so the key is never to let it dry out; a spring division every couple of years keeps the clump vigorous and free-flowering.

Our plants are guaranteed for 24 months for more details Click Here