Common Sneezeweed looks gorgeous when planted en masse and mixes wonderfully with decorative grasses or other perennial plants. It has daisy-like blooms that often attract bees and butterflies. Their blooms have characteristic wedge-shaped, brilliant yellow rays and conspicuous, dome-like, yellow centre discs. The three-lobed petals of all sneezeweeds differentiate them from Rudbeckia and other yellow coneflowers. They yield rust-colored fruits in the autumn. It’s ideal for cut flowers and butterfly gardeners.
They are widely known as ‘Sneezeweed’ because its dried leaves were once used to make snuff, which was breathed to aid with sneezing and to rid the body of bad spirits.
The most common visitors to the flowers are long-tongued bees. Other visitors include sweat bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles. Most of these insects suck nectar, although some bees also collect pollen, and some beetles feed on the pollen.
Companion Plants
In addtion to decorative grasses, include common sneezeweed in your pollinator garden with great blue lobelia, verbena, wild bergamot and more.
Where to Plant
Flowers bloom from late summer through autumn (sometimes until the first frost) and can bring pleasant colour in late summer and fall when many other flowers have faded. Helenium autumnale thrives in perennial borders, grasslands and meadows, and around ponds and streams.
Pruning
Although not required, plants may be cut back in early June (at least six weeks before normal flowering) to reduce plant height and to encourage branching, thus leading to a more floriferous bloom, healthier foliage and less need for support. Deadheading will extend the flowering season. Once flowering has ceased and the plant has died back the stems should be cut down.
Toxicity
Though they are deer resistant, common sneezeweed leaves, flowers, and seeds are poisonous to humans if eaten in large quantities, causing gastric and intestinal irritation. (Maybe deer know that!)
Despite its common name, Common Sneezeweed presents no problems for most allergy sufferers. Its pollen is distributed by insects, not wind. The common name is based on the former use of its dried leaves in making snuff, inhaled to cause sneezing that would supposedly rid the body of evil spirits.
[…] Attracting pollinators to your garden is aesthetically pleasing and has numerous benefits. Pollinators play a crucial role in plant reproduction, as they help transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, allowing the plants to produce seeds and fruits. […]
Discover the importance of planting native plants for attracting and supporting wildlife. Find resources to choose the right plants and learn essential gardening techniques for success.
Discover the importance of pollinators, predators, and decomposers in maintaining a healthy garden. Learn how to attract and support beneficial insects.
Smooth yellow violets are highly desirable in woodland gardens or groundcover with delightful flowers. It is easy to grow and care for.
GardeningCalendar.ca gets some funding from advertisers. If you click on links and advertisements at no cost to you, the site may receive a small commission that helps fund its operation.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.