Helenium autumnale ‘Red and Gold Hybrids’ seeds – (Sneezeweed)

Description

This is one of the garden plants which is in everyone’s “indispensable” list. It provides a much needed splash of colour when many of the flowering plants have finished their display for the year. It is very tolerant of most soil types, and is easy to grow. It makes a very good cut flower. There is also a rich colour range in this mix including shades of crimson, bronze, yellow and brown. It flowers in the  autumn of the first year from seed.

Sowing advice
Sow indoors. Surface sow onto moist well-drained seed compost. Just cover with a fine sprinkling of soil. Propagate 18-20°C. Do not exclude light. Germination takes 14-21 days but can be erratic. If germination does not occur cold stratify. Move to -4-+4°C for 2-4 weeks then return to warmth. Transplant seedlings once large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on in cooler conditions 12-15°C. Acclimatise and plant out once danger of frost has passed with 50cm spacing. Autumn sowings can be overwintered in a cold frame and planted out the following spring.