Helenium autumnale 'Mardi Gras' (Sneezeweed)

Helenium 'Mardi Gras' is an attractive hybrid cultivar of sneezeweed, an upright, clump-forming perennial wildflower commonly found in moist areas along bodies of water, wet disturbed areas like ditches and roadside pools, and low-lying meadows. Growing to 2-3' tall in areas with full sun and semi-damp, well-drained, fertile soils, 'Mardi Gras' sneezeweed produces profuse multicolor daisy-like blooms from mid-summer into the autumn. In striking shades of golden yellow, coppery oranges, and darker burnt sienna hues, flowers are similar in shape to those of the parent species, and still attract a variety of pollinator species, especially butterflies.

Best planted in rain gardens, pollinator collections, and naturalized meadows, Helenium 'Mardi Gras' is generally avoided by deer, and is tolerant of wet soils, though it prefers better drained soils than its parent species. 'Mardi Gras' is upright, showy, and dead blooms can be cut back to encourage reblooming throughout the later summer months. Although Helenium 'Mardi Gras' is a hybrid, many species of sneezeweed are native to North America, and most hybrids are derived from Helenium autumnale (native to almost all of the US and Canada) and Helenium bigelovii (native to California).