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: Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue' spills soft blue flowers at 36 to 46 cm from June to September along the front. Echinacea Kismet® 'White' adds clean white coneflowers from June to October. Behind them, Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' gives upright golden plumes from June onward. All three want full sun.

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.