I coveted this plant for a number of years before finally acquiring it. There were a few plants in town that I admired in late fall gardens, but it took me way to long to get it in my garden. Helenium autumnale wasn't available in the local nurseries and I wasn't eager to spend the money on shipping the plant. I finally ordered the seeds from Thompson and Morgan and was rewarded the second year with long lasting fall flowers. The plants are about 7 years old now and still going strong. These have been blooming for about a month or maybe more. This is another great no fuss perennial for southeast Alaska. I trim it back in late fall and give it some compost in the spring.