Helenium 'Mariachi Salsa'

Helenium 'Mariachi Salsa': Red Hot Petals With an Orange Kick

'Mariachi Salsa' shows up in August like the cousin who brought the good dip. Deep red petals, a flash of orange and a chocolate-brown centre. THE PARTY STARTS WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS GOING HOME.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Helenium 'Mariachi Salsa'
• Common Name: Sneezeweed, Helen's Flower
• Height: 45–50 cm (18–20 in)
• Spread: 50–60 cm (20–24 in)
• Flowers: Red petals with an orange tint 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: Plant 'Mariachi Salsa' in a sunny bed with rose geum, white phlox and pale yellow daisies. Geum TEMPO™ 'Rose' opens dark rose-pink flowers at 20 to 53 cm from April to June. Leucanthemum Amazing Daisies® 'Banana Cream II' adds lemon to cream daisies at 50 to 60 cm from June to August. Phlox Confetti Cake™ brings white and pink heads at 60 to 75 cm from June to August. Andropogon gerardii rises at the back to 120 to 200 cm, turning copper-bronze in fall.

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 Salsa' 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: Late colour, sturdy stems and deer that look the other way. Plant three and SPICE UP THE WHOLE NEIGHBOURHOOD.