Helenium 'Short 'n' Sassy'

Helenium 'Short 'n' Sassy': Sneezeweed Cut Short, Blooming Early

The name is 'Short 'n' Sassy' and it is not lying about either one. Orange and gold daisies around dark domed centres, compact enough to stand without a stake. SHORT? YES. SHY? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Helenium autumnale 'Short 'n' Sassy'
• Common Name: Sneezeweed, Helen's Flower
• Height: 40–55 cm (16–22 in)
• Spread: 55–60 cm (22–24 in)
• Flowers: Daisy-like, with orange to golden-yellow petals around a dark brown, domed centre
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Deep green, narrow leaves on a bushy, upright clump
• Features: Compact with no staking needed, good for cutting

Where to Plant: Put it at the front or middle of a sunny border, in containers, or in small gardens where tall heleniums would be too much. It handles clay soil as long as it doesn't dry out completely.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Short 'n' Sassy' at the front of a sunny bed with coral geum, lemon daisies and white phlox. Geum TEMPO™ 'Coral' opens coral-red flowers at 18 to 30 cm from April to June. Leucanthemum 'Lemon Meringue' adds lemon-centred double daisies at 35 cm from June to August. Phlox Confetti Cake™ brings white and pink heads at 60 to 75 cm from June to August. Miscanthus 'Little Kitten' adds a compact, fine-bladed clump at 60 to 90 cm in flower.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average to rich soil that stays evenly moist. Sneezeweed doesn't like to dry out, so water during dry spells, especially in the first year. Good air flow helps prevent leaf diseases. Deadhead to keep the display tidy and extend bloom. Cut stems back in late fall or early spring. Divide every three years or so in spring to keep the clump vigorous.

History: 'Short 'n' Sassy' was discovered in 2009 by Gina M. Falcetti-Arnold as a natural whole-plant mutation in a garden in Mount Vernon, Washington. It is shorter than typical sneezeweeds and blooms two to three weeks earlier.

Final Thoughts: Plant it at the front where it can heckle the taller plants. The deer stay away and the butterflies keep coming. THE SASS IS FREE.