Description
Inula magnifica | Magnificent Elecampane
Magnificent Elecampane, also known as Giant Fleabane, Elf Wort, and Showy Elecampane, is named after Helen of Troy. Legend has it, she was holding Elecampane in her hand when she left to live with Paris in Troy. Another legend says that it sprung up from where her tears fell. It was used in ancient Rome for culinary purposes. The roots of “Magnificent” taste similar to Inula helenium, but “Magnificent” is less root productive and not used medicinally as often.
Magnificent Elecampane is an easy going, towering, deciduous perennial native to Europe. Huge, rough-textured, dock-like leaves up to 18″ and multiple upright stems bearing large golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centers, up to 6 inches across.
Brightens up gardens with little maintenance, asking only for well drained soil. Reliable and long lived. Give it plenty of space because as its name suggests, its pretty magnificent!
Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. Deer resistant. Makes a great cut flower.
Very similar to Telekia speciosa (Heartleaf Oxeye), but differs from Elecampane in that its broader, heart-shaped leaves have green undersides while Elecampane’s long spear-shaped leaves have woolly undersides.
Type: Perennial
Sub exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 6-8 ft
Mature width: 3-4 ft
Hardiness zones: 5-8
Check out this cool video on Elecampane by Yarrow Willard
