Helenium 'EL DORADO'

Helen’s flower (sneezeweed) is an attractive herbaceous perennial for summer and autumn borders. Newer cultivars are selected for extended blooming time or different colour play, and often also for shorter growth because sneezeweed is originally a tall plant.

El Dorado was a mythical tribal chief of the Muisca people, American Indians from Colombia in Latin America from the 16th century. His ritual was to cover himself with gold dust, showing the richness of the deposits of gold where he lived. His name became a synonym for his town or village and, just like mythical Atlantida and similar, was a subject of many speculations and expeditions but was never found. But the image of someone or something completely covered in gold gave birth to multiple usage of the name El Dorado, be it a material thing glowing like gold, or a vision of a trouble-free and rich place where gold is served like afternoon tea, or even a likening to a long-awaited dream come true.

El Dorado sneezeweed is case number one. It is an early variety producing extra-large, up to 6-8 cm wide flowers composed of glowing golden-yellow ray florets with amber orange highlights, surrounding chocolate brown heads with yellow anthers. They are highly melliferous and borne atop usually about one meter tall, exceptionally slightly taller, sturdy stems already from late June until early September. Leaves are soft green, lanceolate, and appear along the stems as well as near the ground. After flowering you can keep your perennial bed tidy by removing the stems, leaving only the basal rosettes of leaves at the ground level.

Sneezeweed will grow in almost soil type but prefers fertile, reasonably drained but constantly moist soil and full sun. It hates drought. It is recommended to divide every 2-4 years to encourage new roots and young plants. All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if eaten. Fully hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 24-10-2021