Helenium Strawberry Sundae

The 'Strawberry Sundae' Helenium is part of a series of compact, highly floriferous Heleniums that bloom from late spring until the first frosts, developed for flowering on terraces and balconies. Its flamboyant tones of orange and red flowers bring a beautiful touch of colour, both in the garden and in pots. They bloom on stout, weather-resistant stems. It is a robust and hardy perennial, easy to grow in the sun in cool soil. Its flowers are beautiful in a vase.

The natural species of Heleniums are perennials native to North America, where they are generally found around swamps or in wet and sunny locations. This variety, 'Strawberry Sundae', offers a particularly long flowering period, from June to late September, and a not very tall and bushy growth habit. The plant forms sturdy, leafy and branching stems, reaching an average height of 68cm (27in). It occupies an average of 50cm (20in) of space on the ground. The leaves are coloured dark olive green, lanceolate in shape with slightly dentate margins, and arranged alternately along the stems. The flowers, organized in heads, bloom at the tip of the stems. Measuring 5cm (2in) wide, these heads are centred around a large cone in brown, gradually giving way to stamens covered in yellow pollen. At the periphery, the slightly dentate expanded florets display very warm tones. It is when the sun shines on them that the colours of Heleniums are most astonishing. They have the advantage of not losing their brightness in the sun. The above-ground, deciduous vegetation dies in winter and regrows in spring.

The 'Strawberry Sundae' Helenium is a very pretty plant for planters and flower beds, very hardy and never sickly, which thrives in any good garden soil that remains cool. It only blooms well in the sun, accompanying daisies and perennial sunflowers that also offer flamboyant tones. Despite all these qualities, Heleniums remain rare in gardens. Perhaps because their warm tones herald the arrival of autumn. Also, associate them with Goldenrods, perennial salvias, asters, and grasses (Miscanthus, Pannisetum grass).