The One Fiery Flower To Plant Now to Fill Bare Spots Between Summer And Fall
With petals that come into their own late in the year, helenium is the perfect perennial for a burst of color
There comes a point in September when the garden begins to change. It isn't quite fall, but summer is undoubtedly slipping away. The evenings draw in a little earlier, just a few minutes each night. The greens aren't quite so fresh, and browning seedheads begin to outnumber flowers in parts of the border. It is a creeping change rather than a sudden one.
Perhaps that is why I appreciate the bold colors of heleniums. Their burnt oranges, rusty reds and brilliant yellows seem almost to compensate for the diminishing light and dropping temperatures. I have grown several over the years, but Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ remains a favorite, with copper-red petals surrounding a great chocolate-brown center. For something brighter, yellow-flowered varieties such as ‘Zimbelstern’ can positively glow in the low September light.
And there are plenty of other types of helenium to choose from, whether you want something tall and dramatic or compact enough for a smaller yard. Planting helenium in fall can help fill the gaps left behind by fading summer flowers, while providing valuable late-season food for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Helenium autumnale is a good choice, available from Nature Hills. If your borders are looking a little bare this September, here are my top tips for planting heleniums now and helping them settle in before winter.
How to Plant Helenium in Fall
Heleniums, sometimes known by their rather unfortunate common name of sneezeweed, are tough perennials. Many varieties are hardy down to zone 3, although this can vary depending on the cultivar, making them a good option for gardeners across northern regions.
In their native North America, heleniums thrive in open, sunny areas, and I would always give them as much light as possible. While some varieties can tolerate a little shade for part of the day, most need plenty of sunshine to flower well.
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Heleniums don't appreciate drying out completely, so before planting work a little compost or well-rotted organic matter into poorer soils. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and position your plant at roughly the same depth it was growing in its nursery pot. Firm the soil gently around the roots before giving it a thorough watering.
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September is a good time to do this because the soil is still warm, while cooler fall weather places less stress on newly planted perennials. The aim is to give your helenium enough time to establish new roots before winter arrives. In colder northern zones, however, I wouldn't leave planting too late in fall; the earlier you can get plants settled into the ground, the better.
Ongoing Care For Helenium in Fall
For newly planted heleniums, watering is the most important job during the first few weeks. While established plants are relatively tough, new additions shouldn't be allowed to dry out while their roots are settling in. Water deeply during warm or dry spells in September and October, directing the water towards the soil rather than giving the foliage a light sprinkle.
Taller varieties might also need a little support, particularly as fall brings heavier rain and stronger winds. If your helenium is leaning, a few bamboo canes or metal plant supports, available via Walmart, can help to keep those flower-laden stems upright.
I wouldn't worry about feeding newly planted heleniums in fall. If you have added compost when planting, leave them to concentrate on establishing roots rather than encouraging lots of fresh growth just as temperatures begin to fall. In fact, if you do not notice any new growth in the first fall after planting, it is nothing to worry about.
Finally, once flowering ends, there is no great rush to cut everything down. I prefer to leave at least some stems and seedheads standing through winter, where they add structure to otherwise bare borders and can provide food and shelter for wildlife. You can then cut the old growth back in late winter or early spring, ready for new shoots to emerge.
What to Shop
These native wildflowers bloom in late summer into fall when other plants fade, opening in bright yellow and red in zones 3 to 9.
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This garden shovel is perfect for digging tough soil, separating perennials and transplanting heleniums, coneflowers and verbenas with ease.
For more inspiration, see our guide to fall container recipes. The arrival of September and October certainly doesn't mean the end of color in the garden. Fiery flowers, changing foliage and evergreen topiary can keep borders and containers looking full of interest as the seasons turn.
In fact, I think this is one of the most enjoyable times to experiment with planting. As summer retreats, those umbers, oranges and yellows suddenly seem at home, particularly when combined with ornamental grasses and the first burnished leaves of fall (like ginkgo or aspens). Heleniums are just one way to embrace that change rather than fight it. After all, shorter days needn't mean a duller garden.
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