Helianthus simulans

Muck sunflower is a North American native perennial in the aster (Asteraceae) family. It is native from Texas to SC and can be found in wet, mucky soils in marshes, ditches, and roadsides. This plant grows 3 to 8 feet tall and spreads by rhizomes.

The flowers appear in late summer to fall and have many yellow rays with dark red disc center flowers. The narrow leaves are long and hairy and the stem has short stiff hairs. This plant can be variable in appearance depending on what region it grows in. It will also hybridize with H. angustifolious. It spreads by rhizomes and can be propagated by division or seed.

This plant is appropriate for native gardens and naturalizing in moist to wet soils. It can be grown in wet soils along streams and ponds and water gardens. It is adaptable to soil types and does best in full sun to part shade. Pruning the stems by 1/3 in early summer will encourage a bushier plant. The plant will form swathes of lovely yellow flowers that bees love.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally no problems but sunflowers in general can develop fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf blights. Insects are Asiatic garden beetle and sunflower maggot.