The Amazing Adventures of Archibald Esq.

Horticultural Hound: Dog Fennel

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Helenium autumnale is an accepted name in the RHS Horticultural Database.

Dog’s fennel is, without doubt, one of the most attractive perennials for the late-summer garden. It is sometimes said that the name ‘Helenium’ comes from Helen’s flower, of Helen of Troy.

Another common name for members of the Helenium genus is sneezeweed, which is somewhat misleading as native Americans used this plant to cure hay fever.
Other names include Autumn Helen Flowers, Autumn Sneezewort, Dog Fennel, Oxe Eye, Smooth Helen Flower, Swamp Sunflower and Yellow Star.

Members of this native North American genus combine nicely with phlox, asters, and ornamental grasses.

Propagation of this genus is from stock plant division in autumn or spring. Basal cuttings in spring may also be obtained. And it’s worth noting that this plant goes against the trend of associating doggish things with weeds, as this plant has a safe place in ornamental gardens — though when growing wild is sometimes confused with ragweed.

The plant is an upright, hairy annual or short-lived perennial whose preferred habitat is roadsides, fields, woods and the margin of fresh marshes.

Leaves are alternate on the stem, often opposite at the stem base. The ellow-orange-white flowers that appear in autumn are symmetrical in form and bisexual in nature.

Though harmless, the plant is often mistaken for ragweed, and as already noted, was used by the indigenous peoples of North America as a cure for hayfever. Dog fennel does not contribute to hay fever because it is pollinated by insects while all ragweed is airborne.

Superwoof to dog fennel! Archie

Posted 01 Nov 06