Helenium 'Mariachi Bandera'

Helenium 'Mariachi Bandera': Red Daisies Dipped in Gold

'Mariachi Bandera' waves red petals tipped in gold like a flag at a parade. Compact, cheerful and loud in all the right ways. NOBODY ASKED FOR A MARCHING BAND, BUT HERE WE ARE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Helenium 'Mariachi Bandera'
• Common Name: Sneezeweed, Helen's Flower
• Height: 40–50 cm (16–20 in)
• Spread: 40–50 cm (16–20 in)
• Flowers: Dark red petals tipped golden yellow around a dark brown cone
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Narrow, green, lance-shaped leaves on sturdy upright stems
• Features: Compact, sturdy stems, tolerates clay, good for cutting

Where to Plant: Put it in the front or middle of a sunny border where its compact clumps fill the late-summer gap. It is happiest in moist soil, including clay, and makes a good choice for the edge of a rain garden or a low spot that stays damp. Plant a few together in a cutting bed for armloads of stems.

Companion Plants: Give 'Mariachi Bandera' a sunny bed with coral in spring, white phlox in summer and stiff goldenrod in fall. Geum TEMPO™ 'Coral' opens coral-red flowers at 18 to 30 cm from April to June. Phlox Confetti Cake™ adds white and pink heads at 60 to 75 cm from June to August. Solidago rigida brings flat-topped yellow goldenrod at 90 to 150 cm from August to October. Calamagrostis 'Avalanche' stands behind at 90 to 120 cm with white-centred blades.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average to rich soil that stays evenly moist. It won't forgive a bone-dry summer, so water deeply during dry spells, especially in the first year. Deadhead spent flowers to keep new buds coming into fall. Cut stems back to the ground in late fall or early spring. Divide every three to four years in spring to keep clumps vigorous.

History: Helenium 'Mariachi Bandera' belongs to the Mariachi series, bred by Arie Blom of AB-Cultivars in the Netherlands. Its parent species, Helenium autumnale, grows wild in wet meadows and stream banks across much of North America.

Final Thoughts: Small footprint, big finish and blooms right up to frost. ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET, IT ALREADY BROUGHT ONE.