Spring Helenium

Family Asteraceae. Origin unknown.

A perennial rhizomatous plant. Stems erect, about 100 cm tall. Leaves entire, lanceolate, glossy, dark green. Inflorescences up to 7 cm in diameter. Ray florets orange; tubular (disc) florets brown. Blooms abundantly from mid-May for 25-30 days. Produces fruit. Importantly, at this time there are no tall, brightly flowering perennials in the garden. In Siberia it overwinters without shelter.