I've been noticing this lovely little plant with its sunny flowerheads growing in very marginal environments around town. It's yellow bitterweed, Helenium amarum, and I've also seen it covering fields around central Texas.
We don't have many "verges" in Austin, because we either don't have sidewalks or the sidewalks abut right against the street curb. But here's a verge in one of our historic neighborhoods that is freely planted with bitterweed. It's very pretty growing mixed with Mexican feathergrass and mullein.
Yellow bitterweed seems like it would be a fantastic choice for the city to use in medians. I wonder why I don't see it used more? I reckon it's because it will take over a garden. Anyone had any experience planting it? Is this plant a friend or foe?
8 comments:
I have some (that I got from my mom, who has used it for years). It reseeds itself prolifically, so you will probably have to pull out some vagrants each year.
I was considering just filling our "verge" with rock, because the grass never is difficult to keep alive, but this would be a prettier alternative.
This popped up in my backyard a few years ago and has now taken over - in a good way. Absolutely no care, it grows from a single stem so if you need to remove some it comes up with one pull (very deep tap root), needs no water, flowers prolifically until frost, comes back reliably and seems to stay in the harshest areas - in the sand cracks between the limestone and in a granite pad. I don't notice it anywhere else. It's very welcome.
this would be perfect in the upper part of our yard!
Wow - that plant is most certainly going on the "Buy This Fall/Winter" list.
On further checking I read Linnaeus named the plant after a legend surrounding Helen of Troy (The "Helen" in Helenium). As she wept, wherever her tears hit the ground tiny yellow flowers sprang up.
I have been growing this flower in my garden for the past few years and I love it. It is easy to control and blooms constantly even during drought conditions. The bees and butterflies seem to enjoy the nectar too. I originally grew my plants from seeds I collected on the roadside in Galveston.
I think I'll go harvest some seeds and see what I can make happen!
You haven't posted in a while and that's okay...I'm just hoping it is because you are busy and not because there is a sadness in your world.
Best,
Deaton
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