Sneezeweed prefers full sun in evenly moist soil but will tolerate wet areas. If your soil tends to dry out, water often and add lots of organic matter such as leaf mold or well-rotted compost to retain moisture. Taller varieties require staking unless you cut the stems back to half their height in late June. The shorter plants will grow bushier and produce even more flowers. To propagate, divide plants in early spring just as the new shoots appear.
Sneezeweed is a valuable addition to the mixed border because its bloom time comes after most perennials have given up for the year. The flowers, in glowing autumn shades of yellow, red, and bronze, appear on strong, stiffly upright stems and are ideal for cutting. They also provide food for butterflies on their southerly migration. Despite its common name, sneezeweed does not cause sneezing. Hybridizers have combined the hardiness of this eastern species with the larger, brighter-colored flowers of western species to produce many vividly colored selections, such as ‘Mardi Gras’, shown here.
ZONES: 3–10
BLOOM TIME: Late summer to early fall
LIGHT: Full sun
HEIGHT: 48–60 inches
INTEREST: Masses of autumn-colored flowers
Plant sneezeweed toward the middle or back of a mixed border. It is especially useful for filling in after spring-flowering perennials, such as bleeding heart, have declined. Sneezeweed is an excellent cut flower, providing abundant color in floral arrangements.