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Helenium bigelovii (Bigelow’s Sneezeweed)

Bigelow's Sneezeweed, Helenium rivulare

Helenium bigelovii, Bigelow's Sneezeweed, Helenium rivulare, Yellow Helenium, Fall Flowers
Helenium Sahin's Early Flowerer, Sneezeweed Sahin's Early Flowerer, Helenium Autumnale, Common Sneezeweed Sahin's Early Flowerer, False Sunflower Sahin's Early Flowerer, Helen's Flower Sahin's Early Flowerer, Yellow Star Sahin's Early Flowerer, late summe

Helenium bigelovii (Bigelow’s Sneezeweed) is an upright perennial bringing weeks of color in mid to late summer when many other perennials are starting to fade. It boasts large, brilliant yellow daisy-like flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), adorned with a skirt of reflexed rays and a prominent, dark-purple center disk. Attractive to butterflies and many pollinators, the blossoms are borne on erect stems above the basal rosette of lance-shaped, dark green leaves. Sneezeweeds are highly popular for their reliable and showy display, their disease resistance, and their tolerance to any soil conditions aside from very dry or very wet. Today, most garden Heleniums are hybrids of Helenium autumnale or Helenium bigelovii. They are commonly known as ‘Sneezeweed’ due to the ancient use of their dried leaves in making snuff, inhaled to help sneeze and rid the body of evil spirits. Bigelow’s Sneezeweed likes wet places and is suitable for bog gardens, along ponds and streams, or meadows and marshes.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1ft. wide (30 cm)
  • Performs best in full sun in rich, loamy, evenly moist soils. Tolerance of a variety of soils as long as sufficient moisture is provided.
  • Perfect for bog gardens and along ponds and streams.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed (no treatment) or division.
  • Native to California, Oregon.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Helenium
Common names Sneezeweed, Helenium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Pacific Northwest, California, Oregon
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Helenium flexuosum (Purple-head Sneezeweed)
Helenium amarum (Yellow Sneezeweed)
Helenium autumnale (Sneezeweed)
Helenium hoopesii (Orange Sneezeweed)
Helenium ‘Flammenrad’ (Sneezeweed)
Helenium ‘Luc’ (Sneezeweed)

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Helenium (Sneezeweed)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Helenium
Common names Sneezeweed, Helenium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Pacific Northwest, California, Oregon
Tolerance Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Helenium (Sneezeweed)
Not sure which Helenium (Sneezeweed) to pick?
Compare Now

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