Helenium flexuosum (Purplehead Helenium)

• Scientific Name: Helenium flexuosum
• Common Name: Purple-headed sneezeweed or Purplehead Helenium
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade
• Water: Moist to wet conditions
• Soil: Tolerates a range of soils, including clay and loam, as long as moisture is consistent
• Height: 1 to 3 feet
• Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
• Lifespan: Perennial
• Growth Habit: Clump-forming with upright stems and branching flower heads

Additional Information:
Purple-headed sneezeweed brings bold character to moist, sunny spots with its nodding yellow flowers and prominent purplish central disks. Despite the name, it doesn't cause allergies—it got the “sneezeweed” nickname from historical use of its dried leaves in snuff. It’s a favorite among native bees and butterflies, and its long bloom season adds extended color to rain gardens, pond edges, or naturalized low spots. With a loose, informal shape, it pairs well with grasses and other moisture-loving wildflowers. Its tolerance for clay-heavy and wet soils makes it a valuable addition to tricky areas where drainage is poor.