Helenium, Mardi Gras – A Vibrant, Long-Blooming Pollinator Favorite
Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’ is a compact, showy perennial known for its fiery orange, yellow, and red daisy-like flowers that resemble a brilliant summer sunset. This long-blooming, pollinator-friendly plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a standout in cottage gardens, pollinator habitats, and perennial borders. It attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds while adding a burst of late-season color to the landscape.
Flowers: Bright orange, red, and yellow bicolor petals with streaked or flame-like patterns. Surrounds a prominent raised central cone, which starts yellow and deepens to brown as the flower matures. Blooms from mid-to-late summer through early fall (July–October). Highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Height & Spread: Grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide. Forms a compact, bushy mound, with strong upright stems that rarely need staking.
Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped green leaves, arranged alternately along the stems. Remains lush and attractive throughout the growing season.
Growth Habit: Fast-growing, forming well-behaved clumps. Produces multiple flower stalks, creating a long-lasting display.
Roots & Rhizomes: Fibrous root system, allowing easy division for propagation. Spreads slowly but not aggressively.
Habitat & Range: A cultivar of native Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), adapted for garden use. Thrives in full sun, preferring moist, well-drained soils but tolerating drier conditions once established.
Wildlife Benefits: Major nectar source for butterflies, bees, and pollinators. Resistant to deer and rabbits, thanks to its slightly bitter foliage.
Named for Its Festive, Bold Colors: The variety ‘Mardi Gras’ was bred for its brilliant, flame-like bicolor petals, evoking the lively hues of a New Orleans festival.
Extended Blooming Season: Blooms continuously from mid-summer to fall, providing valuable late-season nectar for pollinators.
Not Actually a Sneezeweed: Despite its common name, Helenium is not an allergenic plant—its pollen is too heavy to be wind-dispersed.
Growing Helenium Mardi Gras: Best for pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and sunny borders. Thrives in full sun, needing moist to moderately dry, well-drained soil. Tolerates heat and humidity, making it an excellent late-season bloomer. Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming or leave for seed heads in fall. Cut back by half in early summer for a more compact shape and increased branching.
