Willow-leaved Sunflower Helianthus salicifolius
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Helianthus filiformis
- Helianthus orgyalis
- Description
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Willowleaf sunflower is a herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to the central United States, primarily in the Great Plains and Ozark Plateau and is found growing over limestone soils in prairies and meadows. Genus name comes from the Greek words helios meaning sun and anthos meaning flower. Specific epithet means with leaves like willows.
Willowleaf sunflower will grow 5 to 6 feet tall but can reach 8 feet in height with a 1 to 3-foot spread. It is tolerant of most soil conditions as long as they are well-drained and prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Shading causes the plant to grow taller and produce fewer blooms. The plant will spread by creeping rhizomes and seeds. Clumps can be divided every 2 to 4 years as needed.
In late summer to fall, clusters of bright yellow ray petals surround a brown center of disc flowers that are attractive to pollinators. The attractive leaves are narrow, drooping and willow-like with soft hairs. Birds are attracted to the seeds that follow flowering. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication.
Use this plant for naturalizing meadows or prairies. It can also be used in the back of the border, providing bright yellow color for the fall pollinator garden. Useful in a cutting or cottage garden. There are shorter cultivars for garden use.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for rust, leaf fungal spots and powdery mildew. Watch for aphids, beetles and caterpillars.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Autumn Gold'
1.75 to 2 foot mounded form with 2-inch flowers - ‘First Light’
Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
- 'Autumn Gold'
- 'Autumn Gold', ‘First Light’
- Tags:














- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Autumn Gold'
1.75 to 2 foot mounded form with 2-inch flowers - ‘First Light’
Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
- 'Autumn Gold'
- 'Autumn Gold', ‘First Light’
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Helianthus
- Species:
- salicifolius
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central United States
- Distribution:
- IL , KS , MD , MO , NY , OK , TX , WI
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract pollinators. Birds will eat the seeds. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- 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, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Small gray to black seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The radial flowers are up to 3 inches across in clusters. Bright yellow rays surround the center of brown disc flowers in late summer to late fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The 5 to 7-inch narrow leaves are arching and willow-like
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- White
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Ridgid whitish-green stems that branch near the top
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer