Autumn Sneezeweed

This native wildflower is a critical resource for late-season pollinators. Blooming from late summer into fall, its abundant, cheerful yellow flowers with their prominent, dome-like centers provide vital nectar and pollen when little else is available. We often see it visited by honey bees and even uncommon, large native leafcutter bees. Despite its common name, it is not a source of allergies; its heavy pollen doesn't travel on the wind. The name actually comes from a historical use of the dried leaves as snuff. Linnaeus gave the genus the name Helenium, a nod to Helen of Troy, from the myth that her tears sprouted a similar plant.

This is the perfect plant for those challenging, soggy spots in the garden where other things struggle. It's a first-rate choice for rain gardens, bioswales, or any low-lying area that stays moist, as it naturally occurs in damp meadows and along stream banks. It thrives in rich, heavy soils and does not tolerate drought. As a bonus, its bitter foliage means deer and rabbits leave it alone. The plant forms neat clumps that you can easily divide to share or spread this ecological powerhouse around your garden.