Inula looks like a cross between a daisy and a sunflower and is just as hardy and easy to grow

Though best known in Australia as inula, this familiar yellow flower has several other common names, including one with a fairytale ring to it: elecampane. Other names, such as elfdock, elfwort and horse-heal, sound straight out of Tolkien.

“Inula” comes from the botanic name Inula helenium, while both words derive from the name Helen. Legend has it that the plant grew from the spilt tears of Helen of Troy. The romantic-sounding “elecampane” is actually a corruption of the plant’s mediaeval Latin tag enula campana, named for the Italian region of Campania where it grew wild.

When a plant has so many common names, it’s a sure indication that it grows widely and has medicinal or other values. This perennial sunflower, which may be flowering right now in your garden, came originally from a region stretching from Spain to China and is used medicinally across many cultures.

The root is mucilaginous and used to make an expectorant to treat lung and other ailments. It’s also used in parts of Europe to flavour absinthe, the very alcoholic liquor made from wormwood.

Salves made from inula are used to treat skin problems on horses and other farm stock. Those using it to treat stock referred to it as scabwort. It was also used to treat pulmonary (lung) illness in horses, hence the name horse-heal.

Growing tips

Inula is a perennial, so it regrows each year, dying back over winter. It needs plenty of space as it reaches 2.4–3m in height and is quite bushy. It has large hairy leaves and ragged yellow flowers, which are very attractive to bees and hoverflies.

The plant’s stem and leaves can be damaged by gusty wind, so it’s best planted in a clump in a sunny but sheltered spot in moist soil or in a good soil with regular watering. In hot areas, grow in part shade (morning sun and afternoon shade).

Inula is grown from seed or by root cuttings, but is normally available as a small potted plant to grow in early spring. After flowering finishes and the plant dies back during autumn, it can be cut back to ground level.

INULA LABEL
Common names: Inula, elecampane
Botanical name: Inula helenium
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Aspect and soil: Full sun to light shade; moist soil
Best climate: All
Habit: Perennial
Propagation: Seed, root cuttings
Difficulty: Easy