Elecampane, Inula Helenium

Inula helenium is an easy to grow perennial herb for the back border. Cheery yellow flowers appear on approx. 1.50 high stems. The natural habitat of elecampane are moist meadows. The main part used are the roots but you can replant the crown or even cut it up in several pieces to grow more plants! Easy to grow.

According to literature it grows in USDA zones 5-8. As literature is often wrong I am trialling elecampane in our coastal climate, if it does not grow here I will not offer inula next year!

• Perennial, 90–150 cm, sun or shade, moist.
• Lung diseases, asthma, whooping cough,
• Stomach, nausea, diarrhea
• cleanses toxins from the body, stimulating the immune and digestive systems
• Bitter leaves can be used as potherb, roots candied, contain inulin.