CAPTAIN LESLIE'S "ELECAMPANE"

Captain Leslie's "Elecampane"
(Inula helenium)

7 feet of vertical growth
on Shaw Island,
summer of 2020.
Unenhanced photo.
Courtesy of rhizomes shared by
friend Leslie, Port Townsend, WA.

ELECAMPANE
(Inula helenium)

Seed harvest from the perennial herb 
in the above photograph.
Location: the Gatehouse pollinator garden,
Shaw Island, San Juan Archipelago, WA.

Courtesy of Captain Leslie.

New on the racks for 2020-2021

Common names: Elecampane, Elfdock, Horse-Heal.
Botanical name: Inula helenium 

Life cycle: Perennial medicinal herb.

Hardiness Zone: 3-8 
Native: to Europe and Asia 
Flowers: Bright, golden heads in July. 
Maintenance: Easy.
Tolerates: DEER!
Soil: Prefers moist, rich soil. Can tolerate part shade.
Seeding: direct sow in fall or spring. Needs light for germination.

Rhizomes: Wait for the third year before harvesting when they are large and potent. The plant will spread, but not aggressively.

Notes: In France and Switzerland the roots are used for flavoring absinthe.

Kaiser Permanente reports the roots are traditionally used to treat coughs associated with asthma. (Yes, accessed September 2020.)
The flowers attract pollinators; what a good plant to grow for people and pollinators. The history of this plant goes back to the days of the Bronze Age in Britain.

Seed packets of Inula helenium
now on the rack at Gatehouse Seeds,
Reefnet Bay Road, Shaw Island,
center of the San Juan Archipelago, WA.
September 2020.