6 JULY 2019AMATEUR GARDENING 27Dig moisture-retaining
humus into soil, and water
at least weekly during
dry spells while the
plants are establishing.
Mildew is usually
a symptom of
drought stress.
The Chelsea Chop,
applied in the third
week of May, will reduce
the height of tall varieties.
You can nip out growing tips
or cut stems by half on all or some
stems, depending on how tall they have grown
and the effect required. A Wimbledon Chop will be
equally effective.
Most heleniums grow best with some supports fixed in
place early so the stems can grow through.
Clumps benefit from division every three or four years,
in order to refresh plants.Care and cultivation
Four gorgeous heleniums
‘Fata Morgana’
The upswept apricot petals
curl slightly at the tips,
showing flashes of orange
reverses. Blooms from late
June to late October, and
reaches 30in (75cm) high.‘Wyndley’
Stiff, upright stems bear
blooms of yellow petals
with orange-red streaks
making a fine show from
June on plants 20-30in
(50-75cm) high.Inset: John Swithinbank / TI Media
‘Biedermeier’
A bicoloured variety with
a brown central cone and
petals that are red in the
centre and yellow at the
outer edge. Flowers from
early August. H: 4ft (1.2m).Dig moisture-retaining
humus into soil, and waterweek of May, will reduce
the height of tall varieties.
You can nip out growing tips
or cut stems by half on all or some
stems, depending on how tall they have grownFix supports in place early,
so stems can grow through
the canes and twine‘Hot Lava’
Blooms open yellow, but
mature through orange
to bright red from July
to October. Sturdy
stems reach 30-36in
(75-90cm) tall.Specialperennials.comSpecialperennials.com