Sneezeweed Helenium Mardi Gras = 'Helbro'
ABOUT
Helenium Mardi Gras, commonly known as Sneezeweed, has a striking appearance that brings a festive flair to any garden. This particular cultivar 'Helbro' features a colorful array of daisy-like flowers that usually bloom from midsummer to fall, depending on the climate. The individual flowers are composed of a central cone that is typically yellow to golden brown in color, surrounded by petals that fan out in a skirt-like fashion. These petals are what give the Mardi Gras variety its distinctive look—they display a vibrant blend of yellow, red, and orange hues that resemble the energetic colors of a carnival. The leaves of the Sneezeweed are lance-shaped and tend to be a deep green color, providing a beautiful contrast to the bright flowers. They are arranged alternately along the stems, which are sturdy and upright, often branching near the top where the clusters of flowers form. The overall effect of the foliage and blooms together is a bushy, full look, creating spots of bright and eye-catching color that can liven up any landscape. Sneezeweed is also known for its extended blooming period, which, given the right conditions, ensures a long-lasting display of color. The flowers are not only visually appealing but are also attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, bringing additional life and movement to the area where they are planted.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Sneezeweed, Helen's Flower
Common names
Helenium Mardi Gras 'Helbro'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Sneezeweed (Helenium Mardi Gras 'Helbro') is not generally considered highly toxic to humans. However, it can potentially cause irritation if handled, and if ingested, parts of the plant may cause discomfort or a mild upset stomach. It is advisable to avoid consuming any part of the Sneezeweed, and to wash hands after handling the plant to prevent irritation.
To pets
Similarly, Sneezeweed (Helenium Mardi Gras 'Helbro') is not known to be highly toxic to pets. However, if a pet ingests parts of this plant, it may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms like drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is best to keep this plant out of reach of pets to avoid any potential discomfort.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.30-0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: 'Helbro' invites bees and butterflies, enhancing pollination in the garden.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is easy to care for, with minimal requirements for water, fertilizing, and pruning.
- Long Blooming Period: It offers a lengthy display of vibrant flowers from midsummer to autumn.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, 'Helbro' can withstand periods of drought, making it suitable for dry climates.
- Deer Resistance: The plant is not a preferred food source for deer, reducing the likelihood of damage in gardens with deer presence.
- Adds Color: With its hot, festive colors, 'Helbro' brings a lively burst of orange, red, and yellow to the landscape.
- Good Cut Flower: Its flowers are suitable for cutting and can be used to create attractive floral arrangements.
- Garden Filler: The plant can effectively fill gaps in the landscape, providing dense foliage and flowers.
- Soil Versatility: 'Helbro' can thrive in various soil types, provided they are well-draining.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The bright, colorful flowers of sneezeweed can be used to produce natural dyes for fabrics or paper, creating hues ranging from yellow to brown depending on the mordant used.
- Insect repellent in gardens: The distinctive scent of sneezeweed may help deter certain garden pests, making it a useful companion plant in vegetable gardens or ornamental borders.
- Photography subject: Sneezeweed offers vibrant textures and colors, making it a popular choice for photographers who specialize in botanical and nature photography.
- Environmental education: Due to its growth patterns and attractiveness to pollinators, sneezeweed can be used in educational settings to teach about plant-pollinator relationships and ecology.
- Floral garlands: The stems of sneezeweed are sturdy and hold the blooms well, making them suitable for creating floral garlands or wreaths.
- Seasonal celebrations: As an autumn-blooming plant, sneezeweed can be used in fall festival decorations and arrangements.
- Crafting dried flower arrangements: Sneezeweed retains its shape and color when dried, allowing it to be used in dried floral crafts and long-lasting arrangements.
- In mixed media artwork: Pressed sneezeweed flowers can be used in mixed media art projects, such as botanical collages or natural material mosaics.
- Culinary decoration: While not edible, sneezeweed can be used as a colorful, non-toxic garnish for plating and presenting food in high-end culinary settings.
- Seed collection and swapping: Gardeners may cultivate sneezeweed for seed harvesting, allowing them to share or swap seeds with other plant enthusiasts.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Helenium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Helenium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: The plant's Latin name, Helenium, derives from Helen of Troy, and it's believed to represent healing from grief, as the myth suggests these flowers sprouted from where her tears fell.
- Remembrance: This plant is often associated with memories and the past, symbolizing an intention to remember significant people or events.
- Resilience: Sneezeweed's ability to thrive and bloom towards the end of the summer and into fall is symbolic of endurance and withstanding challenging conditions.
- Cheerfulness: The vibrant, festive colors of the Helenium Mardi Gras variety epitomize joyfulness and celebration, symbolizing a happy occurrence or season.
- Protection: In some traditions, sneezeweed has been thought to offer protection, possibly due to its historical use in creating snuff, which was believed to protect individuals from ill spirits.
WaterThe Helenium, also known as Sneezeweed, prefers consistent moisture and should be watered deeply once a week, especially during dry spells. It's important to avoid waterlogging, so ensure the plant has well-draining soil. For a mature Helenium 'Mardi Gras', watering with about 1-2 gallons of water each week is usually sufficient, depending on climate and soil conditions. During extreme heat, you may need to increase watering frequency. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering to maintain the right moisture level.
LightSneezeweed thrives in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. Best growth and flowering occur when the plant receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid overly shaded areas since this can lead to weak stems and poor flowering.
TemperatureSneezeweed is hardy in a range of temperatures and can typically handle a minimum of -20°F and up to 90°F. The ideal growth temperature for Sneezeweed 'Mardi Gras' is between 50°F and 75°F. Ensure the plant is properly mulched to regulate soil temperature and protect it in colder zones.
PruningPrune Sneezeweed to remove spent flowers and encourage a second bloom. Cutting back the plant by one-third in early summer can also promote bushier growth and prevent floppiness. Pruning is best done post-blooming or in early spring to remove dead or damaged foliage and maintain plant health.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSneezeweed 'Helbro' thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter; a mix of garden loam, compost, and perlite works well. It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
RepottingSneezeweed 'Helbro' does not typically require frequent repotting as it is often grown as a perennial in gardens; divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.
Humidity & MistingSneezeweed 'Helbro' is adaptable to outdoor humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions when grown in its natural garden setting.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in sunny spot, ensure good air flow, water when topsoil dry.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-drained soil, natural rainfall suffices.
Hardiness zone
Sneezeweed 'Helbro' is suitable for USDA zones 3-8.
Life cycleThe life cycle of Helenium Mardi Gras, commonly known as Sneezeweed 'Helbro', begins with seed germination, typically in early spring when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Following germination, the seedlings grow and develop a root system and foliage through the vegetative stage over spring and summer. By late summer or early autumn, the plant reaches maturity and produces distinctive daisy-like flowers with yellow, red, and orange tones, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, seeds begin to form in small heads that then dry and disperse in the late autumn or as the plant dies back with the first frosts. The parent plant will die back to the ground with the onset of winter, but it is a perennial, so new growth will emerge from the roots the following spring. With each subsequent year, the plant can expand in size and produce more flowering stems, perpetuating its life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Early Spring
Propogation: The Helenium 'Mardi Gras' also known as Sneezeweed or Helen's Flower, is commonly propagated by division. The optimal time to do this is in early spring or early fall, when the plant is not in active bloom and stress to the plant can be minimized. Propagation by division involves carefully digging up the plant or a substantial clump and gently separating the root mass into smaller sections. Each section should have a good amount of roots and several shoots. These divisions can then be replanted immediately at the same soil depth as they were previously, spaced about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) apart to allow room for growth. It's important to water the new divisions thoroughly after planting to help establish them.
