104 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



of mahogany-crimson, coppery-bronze, lemon-yellow, and light and 

 deep rich yellows. The flowers are flat and are borne in large heads 

 or clusters. They grow from 1 foot to 6 feet high. 



Helenium autumnale, Riverton Gem, grows from 23/2 f^^l to 3 feet 

 high and has flowers of an old gold color, which changes to a blood-red 

 wallflower color when mature. Riverton Beauty grows from 5 feet 

 to 6 feet taU. Its flowers are a rich lemon yellow^ with a purplish-black 

 cone center. Rubrum bears large, loose heads of terra cotta or mahog- 

 any-crimson flowers which do not change as the blooms mature. 

 Superbum has deep, golden yeUow flowers while Striatum has yeUow 

 flowers striped with crimson. AU the above varieties bloom from 

 August through September. 



H. Hoopesii, a clear, rich yellow sort with slightly drooping rays, 

 blooms early in June and grows only 2 feet tafl. 



FoUowing the last named species in season of bloom is H. pumilum, 

 another yellow sort, usually growing about 18 inches tall and bear- 

 ing a profusion of flowers through the Summer months. 



Uses. Heleniums are a very useful as well as popular group of 

 plants for the garden, for their masses of golden-hued colors blend 

 with the autumnal colors and produce efi'ects which are hard to 

 achieve in any other group. Because of their tall growth, Heleniums 

 are used to form the body and main background of large borders and 

 are very attractive when planted among shrubbery. The flowers are 

 very useful for cutting and the blooms remain fresh for a long time 

 when placed in water. The bushes are always covered with large 

 quantities of bloom which remain on the plant in good condition for 

 some time. The cut flowers are useful for interior decoration. 



Culture. Heleniums are vigorous growing plants which thrive 

 in any soil and even under adverse conditions. They should be trans- 

 planted frequently because they spread rapidly. 



Propagation. These plants are propagated by seeds sown in 

 July, by division of the roots either in early Spring or Fall, and by 

 cuttings taken in Spring. 



Helianthus — Perennial Sunflower 



These bold perennials are so diverse in their habits that it is 

 hoped that the reader will not come to them with prejudice because 

 some of its relatives are coarse and grasping in nature. Some of the 



