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Willow-leaved Sunflower Helianthus salicifolius

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Helianthus filiformis
  • Helianthus orgyalis
Description

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:
  • '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', ‘First Light’
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#yellow flowers#showy leaves#herbaceous perennial#naturalized area#nesting sites#prairies#border back#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#full sun#pollinator garden#meadow#cut flower
 
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', ‘First Light’
Tags:
#showy flowers#fall flowers#yellow flowers#showy leaves#herbaceous perennial#naturalized area#nesting sites#prairies#border back#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#full sun#pollinator garden#meadow#cut flower
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small gray to black seeds.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    White
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Ridgid whitish-green stems that branch near the top
  • 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