Inula helenium Seeds | Elecampane
LATIN NAME: Inula helenium
COMMON NAME: Elecampane
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Elecampane (Inula helenium) is a herb in the daisy family. Elecampane is a tall, yellow daisy of old herb garden, and golden, rayed heads open above big, velvety leaves. It is a plant of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained ground. The flowers pull in pollinating insects, which quietly widens its usefulness in the garden. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Inula helenium ranges from the botany of the daisy family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Elecampane earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Elecampane is a fine, historic plant of old herb garden. Give plants room for big leaves and tall stems, and they will hold back of border well. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Elecampane root is a grand old European expectorant, rich in inulin and the sesquiterpene alantolactone, used for centuries in cough syrups; Chinese Xuan Fu Hua flowers serve parallel roles for phlegm.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Elecampane under ordinary good conditions. Surface-sow onto a light, well-drained compost, dust over a thin covering, and keep evenly moist and sunny until the seedlings show. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Its role in herbal practice, noted above, adds depth to an already garden-worthy plant. Given the right start, Elecampane is a long-term garden companion. Keep the sowing evenly moist at the start — that is the one real requirement.
Related Reading
Continue exploring with these related plants: