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Warm-toned sneezeweed flowers in orange and red in an autumn borderPerennials

Helenium autumnale

Sneezeweed

sneezeweedautumn bloomerbee-friendlycut flowerprairie plant

Sneezeweed is a vigorous perennial that brightens the garden from August to October with warm shades of yellow, orange, and red. The daisy-like flowers with their prominent domed centres are magnets for bees and butterflies. Excellent for prairie borders and cut flowers.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Medium
Height
80–150 cm
Spread
40–60 cm
Hardiness zone
3–8
Family
Asteraceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
yellow, orange, red
Wildlife value
bees, butterflies

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in moisture-retentive soil that does not dry out completely. Feed with compost in spring. Stake taller cultivars to prevent flopping. Divide every three to four years to maintain vigorous flowering.

Pruning tips

Cut stems back to the ground after the first frost. You can halve the stems in June (the Chelsea chop) to promote more compact growth and later, longer-lasting blooms.

Good companions

Golden-yellow Black-eyed Susan with dark brown center in a sunny borderPerennials

Rudbeckia fulgida

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan blooms from July through October with radiant golden-yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center. The plant is virtually indestructible, spreads gradually, and suits large borders and prairie-style gardens. After flowering, the seed heads provide food for birds.

Full sunLow60–90 cm
Pink-purple coneflower with orange-brown cone in a sunny borderPerennials

Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower is a sturdy perennial with distinctive pink-purple petals surrounding an orange-brown cone. The flowers appear from July to September and are a magnet for butterflies and bees. In autumn and winter, the seed heads attract goldfinches and other seed-eating birds.

Full sunLow60–120 cm
Silvery-white plumes of Chinese Silver Grass swaying in autumn windOrnamental grasses

Miscanthus sinensis

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass is a striking ornamental grass that adds structure to any garden with its tall plumes and gracefully arching leaves. Silvery-white plumes appear from August to October and catch the autumn and winter light beautifully. The dried grass remains attractive throughout winter.

Full sunMedium150–250 cm