Inula helenium
Common yarrow
Common names: True yarrow, Helen's herb
Photo: Karelj · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Inula helenium, known as true yarrow, is a robust perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. It grows 1.5 to 2 meters tall, producing large, bright yellow flower heads from July to September. The plant is valued as a traditional medicinal herb, a valuable forage for bees, and attracts many solitary bees and bumblebees. Its thick taproot makes it drought‑tolerant once established. Due to its size, it requires ample space and a location where it can remain for several years.
Care instructions
Plant in a sunny to partially shaded spot with loose, fertile soil, preferably in spring after mid‑April (week 16) or in autumn after September (week 37). Keep a spacing of 60 to 80 cm between plants to allow full growth. Water young plants regularly until well established; thereafter the plant tolerates drier periods. In late autumn, cut stems close to the ground when foliage wilts to protect against winter rot. The taproot can be dug up in the autumn of the second or third year when it is most robust.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, humus-rich, moist, nutrient-rich, lime-loving
Feeding
Medium feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Sunflowers release substances into the soil that inhibit potato tuber growth, and they also compete for water and nutrients.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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