Helenium Mariachi Ranchera

Helenium Ranchera is a new variety of Helenium from the Netherlands, unique for its deep red flowers with blue undertones, like daisy flowers. The plant is compact and branched, and creates a stunning display in late summer among the blue stars of asters, September roses, tender Echinaceas, and many other late-flowering plants. This Helenium does not require staking in flower beds and is perfectly suited for container gardening. Its flowering announces the explosion of autumn colours, both in the garden and in bouquets.

Heleniums are perennial plants native to North America, where they are typically found along marshes. The cultivar 'Mariachi Ranchera', introduced in 2014, is distinguished by its compact habit with sturdy stems that do not exceed 50-60 cm (20-24in) in height and 50 cm (20in) in spread. The leaves, which are a vibrant green, are lanceolate in shape with smooth margins and are arranged alternately along the stems. From August to September, and even into October, almost white buds appear at the top of the stems, opening up into dark-centred red heads, accompanied by a procession of pollinating insects. The heads resemble 4 to 5 cm (2in) diameter daisies; at the centre, the violet cone gradually gives way to yellow stamens that form a concentric circle. At the periphery, dark red petals fade to a very soft brick colour. Pale buds and cool red flowers coexist on the plant, creating a very pretty display.

Helenium is a robust and hardy plant, resilient to disease, and easy to grow in the sun, in moist and well-drained soil. It appreciates ordinary, rather moist soils and a sunny position. It flowers well on slopes, borders, and even in containers on the patio. Despite all these qualities, Heleniums remain rare in gardens. Perhaps because their warm tones announce autumn a little too quickly, while the garden and the gardener are still trying to hold onto the last summer blooms. 'Ranchera', with its deep red colour, pairs very well with the blue and mauve flowers of perennial geraniums, Japanese anemones, red or even yellow dwarf dahlias, as well as the black foliage of Ophiopogon planiscapus and purple Amaranth (Amaranthus Hypochondriacus), an annual but spectacular plant. In a different setting, the velvety leaves of Stachys or sage greatly enhance the red hue of this flowering plant.