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Helenium
Supernoodle
Posts: 954
in Plants
Hi all,
Caught up with GW last night. Week before last had heleniums on, and it's finally given me the inspiration for the bed I prepared a few months ago. a helenium collection with a few grasses and achillea. And the odd crocosmia and kniphofia. Maybe a rudbeckia. Colour based on rusty coppers, apricots, gentle yellows.
so... Heleniums.... I assume from the comment about dividing in the spring that I should not put new plants in now? Rather wait til spring?
Also I think it said they don't come true from seed, so as I'm particular about colour I assume I should buy, at least to get me started. Is there anywhere that does a decent range without extortionate prices?
thanks!
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Posts
Hi Supernoodle,
I'm not qualified to advise on Helenium as I only acquired my first two last autumn (and lost one over winter
) but I would love to see pics of that border when it is planted up. I'm looking for grasses at the moment to combine with Helenium and Penstemons so it would be really interesting to see what you put together.
I bought my second lot this summer from Hayloft- I'm sure it was 3 young plants for £10 but now they are offering 3 bare roots for £16.50.
I found another nursery who I believe are the national collection holders - special perennials - they are £5-£6 for a 9cm pot, delivery next May.
Moerheim Beauty is a nice gingery colour. Everyone sells it so I imagine it is quite common but I've never seen one apart from mine.
I think Verdun is a Helenium pro - I'm sure he'll have good advice.
Hi Supernoodle your planned border sounds beautiful I'm hoping you will post some pics on here not only when it's established but at the different stages leading up to it. the finished border will be there year after year, amazing colours .
This year I grew a packet of ammaranthus from seed.these are a lovely tan shade , some creams amongst them too. I think they were from fothergills . About 18 inches tall . Don't know if they are like the usual dark purpley ones that still come up each year but I shall find out.
Ooh blimey, I'm feeling the pressure I hope it looks ok!
thanks for your help. Soil is clay but I've been improving it so hoping it'll be good for heleniums. It's sunny from first thing thro to 1pm ish.
Now I won't be planting until the spring, I've got time to give it some thought. So I'll be printing this thread and get planning!
Tips for grasses would be good, given my heavy soil. They mentioned moorhexe in GW and I looked it up and seems suitable so I'm looking at molinia. Also got a deschampsia recently so seeing how it does.
here's the site I prepared earlier in the year
The little green bit on the left is crocosmia. Found it amongst the weeds so left it! Its the run of the mill orange stuff. However I've seen some with bronze leaves and yellow flowers that'd work well.
thanks for the tips re foliage. Achillea can be untidy too so will indeed need to give some thought.
Your choice of plants sounds exciting!! The end results will be good.
Hi Verd. No, no astilbes for my garden unfortunately. I've got achillea elsewhere and am taken with them so hoping for more but is their first season so will need to see how they get thro winter.
plan is to stick to just a few types of plants. It'll be the second bed I've done, and although I like the first it could have be less bitty.
making a list to look up, ta....
Oh alright then, party pooper
, I'll give up on my achillea dream.....
lam I allowed a Monarda or two?
I grew rudbeckia rustic dwarves from seed this year, and was really pleased with the browny/orange selection i got. Not expecting them to come through the winter, but will try some more seed next spring. They might give you some fillers whilst the rest gets established ... Very exciting project there