We went to walk a section of the Appalachian Trail the other day. We opted for a section of boardwalk across a swamp in northern New Jersey – a lovely stroll, with sections through the shade of trees for a little respite from the heat and probably the easiest walk on the whole trail!
There were some interesting plants to be seen, but none stood out like Common Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale. In brilliant butter yellow it proved how colourful natural, un-“improved” native plants can be.
And let’s be clear, it doesn’t make people sneeze – the pollen is too heavy to be blown on the wind anyway. But native Americans used to use the dried flowers and leaves to make a kind of snuff – and that would certainly make you sneeze.
Hi, I have been enjoying your blog. I love the Sneezeweed and feel it is an underused perennial in the garden. I love the yellow form but have also been enjoying the red ones.
Posted by: Digital Flower | September 21, 2007 at 09:13 PM
Yes, there's quite a selection in a range of shades - and those are what we normally see. But it was striking to see how impressive the un-"improved" wild form is.
Posted by: Graham Rice | September 23, 2007 at 07:53 PM