Helenium autumnale Lemon Sundae
Availability: In stock
Helenium ‘Lemon Sundae’ is a little burst of sunshine for the late-summer garden, producing masses of bright lemon-yellow flowers above a neat mound of leafy green growth. Each daisy-like bloom has a rounded, golden-yellow centre surrounded by slightly irregular petals, giving the flowers a wonderfully relaxed, natural look.
Unlike some of the taller Heleniums, ‘Lemon Sundae’ stays compact at around 50cm high, so it slips easily into the front or middle of a sunny border and works beautifully in patio pots. Its branching stems carry plenty of flowers from late summer into autumn, creating a generous splash of colour when the garden can really use an extra lift. Plant it among ornamental grasses and other late-flowering perennials for a lovely prairie-style combination, or grow a few together for an even sunnier display.
Supplied in approx 2-3 litre containers.
Grow Helenium ‘Lemon Sundae’ in full sun and fertile, humus-rich soil that holds some moisture while remaining well drained. Water regularly during dry summer spells, particularly while plants are establishing or when growing in containers, and a spring mulch of compost or well-rotted organic matter will help retain moisture. Deadhead faded flowers to encourage the display to continue for longer. Established clumps can be divided every two to three years to keep them vigorous. This is an exceptionally hardy perennial, with the RHS giving ‘Lemon Sundae’ an H7 hardiness rating.
Helenium is commonly known as ‘sneezeweed’, but the name has an unusual story behind it. The foliage of Helenium was historically dried and powdered for use as snuff, deliberately encouraging sneezing. Thankfully, ‘Lemon Sundae’ is much better enjoyed in the flower border, where its sunny blooms can be left for both gardeners and visiting pollinators to appreciate.
Helenium autumnale Lemon Sundae