Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Helenium 'Mardi Gras'
Mardi Gras Sneezeweed
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- 3-4 feet tall
- Width
- 1-2 feet wide
- Flower color
- Yellow with orange veining
- Foliage color
- Green, lance-shaped leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid summer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; cut back in late fall
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 3-8
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies and bees
About this plant
Helenium 'Mardi Gras' is a lively cultivar celebrated for its golden-yellow petals brushed with streaks of orange and accented by a prominent, chocolate-brown cone at the center. Each petal features fringed edges, adding texture and a playful touch to the bright, festive colors. Named for its vibrant appearance reminiscent of a carnival, this cultivar brings a joyful, warm palette to the garden, making it a popular choice for late-season displays.
Blooming from midsummer through early fall, 'Mardi Gras' is a favorite among pollinators, attracting bees and butterflies to its cheerful flowers. Its bold colors and long-lasting blooms make it a wonderful addition to mixed borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower meadows, where it provides a harmonious transition from summer into fall. The unique, multi-toned petals create a dynamic presence, brightening up any planting and pairing beautifully with other warm-toned perennials.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Shasta daisies · Asters · Catmint · Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm
Design tip
Fall bloom is its strength, and it earns a place near a path or seating area used late in the year. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
