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Inula helenium (Elecampane)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Inula helenium
Other names
Elecampane, Allicampane, Elf dock, Else dock, Elf wort, Enula campana , Horse elder, Horse heal, Scabwort, Wild sunflower, Yellow starwort
Genus
Inula Inula
Species
I. helenium - I. helenium is a robust, upright, rhizomatous perennial with downy, furrowed stems, basal rosettes of ovate, toothed, wavy-margined, mid-green leaves, densely woolly beneath, and bright yellow flowers in summer.
Inula helenium is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem, Upright
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering. This will help prevent self-seeding around the garden.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Inula helenium (Elecampane) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in part shade. Site with care as it may become invasive. May need staking.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Inula helenium
Other names
Elecampane, Allicampane, Elf dock, Else dock, Elf wort, Enula campana , Horse elder, Horse heal, Scabwort, Wild sunflower, Yellow starwort
Genus
Inula Inula
Species
I. helenium - I. helenium is a robust, upright, rhizomatous perennial with downy, furrowed stems, basal rosettes of ovate, toothed, wavy-margined, mid-green leaves, densely woolly beneath, and bright yellow flowers in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering. This will help prevent self-seeding around the garden.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Inula helenium (Elecampane) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in part shade. Site with care as it may become invasive. May need staking.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designers Anna Benn and Hannah Gardner. A Russian-themed garden based on the country estate near Moscow where Anton Chekhov, one of Russia’s greatest writers, wrote his famous play … read more
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