Helenium Tijuana Brass

Helenium 'Tijuana Brass' is a new introduction, this variety of alternate Helenium is adorned with large golden yellow flowers that are uniform and very eye-catching. The florets are arranged around a slightly darker, bulging central head. It is a vigorous perennial plant, with abundant and lush leaves during flowering. Its tall habit makes it suitable for the back of borders, where it will brighten up the late summer and autumn. It is also an excellent flower for bouquets. Easy to grow in well-drained and moist soil in full sun.

Hybrid heleniums are often derived from Helenium autumnale, a native perennial of North America that is commonly found in marshes. The 'Tijuana Brass' cultivar offers a perfectly uniform colour and a tall stature. It has an upright habit and the stems reach a minimum height of 1.5m (5ft). The leaves are a vibrant green, lanceolate in shape with smooth margins, and are arranged alternately along the stems. Unlike many hybrids, the basal foliage remains lush and green throughout the entire flowering period. From July to September, or even October, a myriad of 8cm (3in) in diameter yellow daisies appear at the top of the stems. These colourful heads have the distinctive feature of a bulging cone in an aged gold colour at their centre. At the periphery, the uniformly bright yellow florets fade while retaining their colour, which is not often the case with heleniums. The vibrant tones of this variety will extend the summer in the garden.

Helenium 'Tijuana Brass' is a hardy and rarely diseased plant. It thrives in ordinary soils and sunny exposures. Easy to grow, this perennial flower is suitable for slopes, borders, and containers. Despite their many qualities, Heleniums remain rare in gardens, perhaps because their warm tones suggest autumn too quickly. 'Tijuana Brass' pairs well with asters, Heucheras, perennial chrysanthemums, and Rudbeckias. However, its tall habit allows it to blend in with deciduous bushes with sublime foliage as soon as the first cold weather arrives, and they also serve as natural supports. In a more Mediterranean style, the felted foliage of Stachys or salvias greatly enhances the vibrant colour of this flowering.