Helianthus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-AN-thus
- Description
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There are 150 species of sunflower, most of which are native to North America. They are annuals or perennials in the Asteraceae (daisy) family and have rough sandpapery leaves and showy daisy-like flowers that come in a variety of colors. All species are tall and many can become weedy as they self-seed easily but their cheery summer and fall flowers make up for any inconvenience.
Although generally preferring moist soil, some species will tolerate poor drainage. Plant in the full sun for the most blooms and enjoy the flowers from late summer until the first frost. Leave the seed heads standing to provide a late fall and winter food source for birds.
The giant sunflower H. annuus is the plant that provides the seed we snack on and sunflower oil. Jerusalem artichokes, or H. tuberosus, have tasty starchy edible tubers.
Helianthus cultivar production trial results
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Tall plants with large blooms could require support.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Helianthus angustifolius, Helianthus annuus, Helianthus atrorubens, Helianthus decapetalus, Helianthus divaricatus, Helianthus maximiliani, Helianthus microcephalus, Helianthus occidentalis ssp. occidentalis, Helianthus resinosus, Helianthus schweintizii
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Helianthus angustifolius, Helianthus annuus, Helianthus atrorubens, Helianthus decapetalus, Helianthus divaricatus, Helianthus maximiliani, Helianthus microcephalus, Helianthus occidentalis ssp. occidentalis, Helianthus resinosus, Helianthus schweintizii
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helianthus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Flowers can be used to produce a yellow dye.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North, South, Central Americas
- Distribution:
- Americas Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers provide nectar to pollinators from July until the first frost. This is a larval host plant that supports Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis). The Silvery Checkerspot has at least 1-2 broods in the north from June-July in the deep south and Texas, they have as many as 3-4 broods from May through September. Birds are attracted to seeds so leave standing dead flowers into the winter as natural bird feeders. Members of the genus Helianthus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) accepta, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) aliciae, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) helianthi, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) agilis, Dieunomia (Dieunomia) heteropoda, Megachile (Sayapis) pugnata, and Paranthidium (Paranthidium) jugatorium. This plant is occasionally damaged by deer.
- Edibility:
- The seeds are eaten and are a source of one of the most important vegetable oils. The leaves and stalks are food for livestock.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- bright colorful ray florets that come in a variety of colors on the outside and yellow or brown/red disc florets inside
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The lower leaves are opposite, ovate, or cordate. Upper leaves are alternate and narrower. Petiolate leaves are dentate and may be sticky.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
