Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-AN-thus maks-ih-mill-ee-ANE-ee
- Description
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Helianthus maximiliani is a prairie sunflower named after Prince Maxmilian of Germany, a naturalist who lead an expedition to the West from 1832 to 1834.
The Maxmillian Sunflower prefers moist, clay-like soil but is tolerant of a wide variety of soils. It is easily grown from seed and taller plants may benefit from staking.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helianthus
- Species:
- maximiliani
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- midcontinental prairie regions of North America
- Distribution:
- The United States and Canada, particularly throughout the MidWest US and southern provinces of Canada
- Wildlife Value:
- Numerous species of birds eat the seeds, and it provides nectar to bees and butterflies. 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.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- This sunflower provides food for birds and livestock.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flower heads grow on terminal stalks and from leaf axils. The flower head, with 15-19 ray flowers, is deeply veined and slightly toothed on the tip. The green to dark brown center is 1 inch across.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are long and narrow, slightly wavy or toothed on the edges, often folded lengthwise and pointed at the end. They vary in length from up to 10 inches at the bottom to 2 inches at the top. Before this plant loses its leaves in the winter, the leaves may turn purple during fall weather.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Poor Soil
