Small Woodland Sunflower Helianthus microcephalus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-AN-thus my-kro-SEF-uh-lus
- Description
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Small Woodland Sunflower is a native wildflower in the aster family found in dry woodland areas or along roadsides in the eastern U.S.A. In NC it is found in all areas but primarily in the Piedmont and mountain regions. It will grow 4-6 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. The yellow flowers are showy in clusters with a long bloom season. Pollinators are attracted to the blooms and birds will eat the seeds. It spreads by rhizomes and reseeding.
Small Woodland Sunflower is easy to grow in average well-drained soils and tolerates moist to occasionally dry soil and full sun to partial shade. It is drought tolerant once established. Deadhead the blooms to stimulate reblooming and prevent unwanted seeding. Divide plants as needed to control growth.
This plant is suitable for cottage gardens, naturalized and native gardens and rock gardens. It makes a great nectar plant for a butterfly garden as well.
- 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:
- microcephalus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant for the American Painted Lady, Painted Lady and Spring Azure butterflies. Attracts bees, butterflies and birds. This is also 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:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
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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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes in clusters September to November
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.25 inch bloom with 5-7 rays around center disk flowers are both yellow. Occurs singly or in clusters. Blooms from July to October
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped leaves 3 to 6 in. long and .8 to 2 in. wide, are mostly scabrous above, resin-dotted, entire or toothed. Undersides have scattered matted hairs. The lower leaves are opposite and upper leaves are alternate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth reddish-green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
