Inula orientalis

Inula orientalis, also known as Inula glandulosa or Georgian Fleabane, is often considered the most beautiful species in this group of robust perennial plants related to daisies. Forming a large dense clump, it offers large lush leaves and large flower heads with very fine yellow petals that radiate in the sunlight. It is an excellent plant for borders, very floriferous in summer and undemanding, with long-lasting radiant flowers in a vase.

Inula orientalis belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to the Caucasus. It is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with above-ground growth emerging from the soil in spring and dying back in winter. The plant, covered in fine hairs, forms a clump of leafy stems that measures about 60cm (24in) in all directions. It blooms from late June to August, varying depending on the region. At the ends of the branched floral stems, flower heads measuring 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) in diameter appear, composed of thin bright yellow ligules slightly curved around a fairly wide central disc, which changes from yellow to orange and then brown. This flowering attracts many pollinating insects. The oval leaves with pointed tips, thick and slightly hairy, measure 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) in length. Their colour is dark green.

The Georgian Fleabane is a vigorous, accommodating and very cheerful plant that is not used enough in gardens. However, it adapts everywhere as long as the soil is not too dry. In the heart of summer, it keeps company with coreopsis, scabiosa, asters, calendulas, or yarrows that bloom simultaneously. Inula orientalis also pairs well with the striped blue flowers of the Splish Splash meadow cranesbill geranium and small grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia or Carex comans Bronze Form.