Helenium Pumilum Magnificum

Helenium automnale 'Pumilum Magnificum' is characterized by early summer flowering, starting in June. It is also distinguished by the structure of its flowers, composed of a collar of very short petals or ligules surrounding a particularly developed and globular centre which changes colour from yellow to dark brown.  The plant, when grown in moist soil, quickly forms a generous clump with a somewhat untidy upright habit that perfectly suits a cottage-style or slightly wild garden.  With its canary yellow flowers, this variety adds a beautiful touch of gold to sunny borders. Its flowers are also perfect for bouquets.

Heleniums are perennials of the aster family, native to North America, where they often grow near marshes. The cultivar 'Pumilum Magnificum' comes from the species Helenium automnale, a perennial with richly coloured flowers and vigorous growth. Some authors also compare this variety to the Helenium bigelovii, a vigorous species with intensely yellow flowers. 'Pumilum Magnificum' is an old variety (present in catalogues dating back to 1930), and floriferous. The plant has a relaxed, bushy habit and develops sparsely branched stems reaching 70 to 80 cm (28 to 32in) in height. The leaves, coloured a bright medium green, are lanceolate in shape and arranged alternately along the stems. From June to August-September, a large number of flowers tirelessly bloom at the top of the stems. They resemble 5-6 cm (2in) in diameter daisies. In the centre, the globular and prominent cone, which occupies about a third of the 'flower', is coloured dark yellow and gives way to yellow stamens that turn brown when ripe. At the periphery, short and fringed florets, slightly trailing, display a perfectly uniform light and vivid yellow colour. These flowers attracts a large number of pollinating insects.

Helenium 'Pumilum Magnificum' is a robust, hardy plant, that is resistant to disease. It appreciates ordinary but moist soils and a sunny position. Easy to grow, it blooms equally well on slopes, in borders, and in containers on the patio. Despite all these qualities, heleniums remain rare in gardens.  They are the perfect complement to asters. 'Pumilum Magnificum', flowering from June, will accompany all summer blooms: for example, daylilies, large daisies, penstemons, phlox, and even perennial delphiniums. It can also be associated with a deciduous spindle tree or a Cotinus, whose foliage ignites at the first cold.  In a different setting, the grey foliage of stachys or Nepeta mussinii greatly enhances the sunny hue of this flowering.