This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Producing its flowerheads from early to mid-summer, this is one of the first Heleniums into flower each year. Surrounding the brown central cone, which gradually turns yellow and becomes more conspicuous as the disc florets open from the outer edge, the elongated ray florets are variably and attractively coloured with a mix of yellow and burnt orange to ochre red streaks.
  
  
• Garden care: Heleniums are versatile plants that love plenty of sunshine and moist soil. They rarely suffer from pests or diseases, however young plants do need to be protected from slug attack. Tall varieties need to be staked. To encourage the plant to repeat flower, deadhead back to side shoots that have flower buds emerging. Cut back by half after flowering to help prevent mildew, and cut down to the ground in late winter. Every two to three years divide the plants in spring to keep them in top condition. When replanting add loads of well-rotted organic matter to the soil to feed them and keep them moist.