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Heliopsis helianthoides is often confused with:
Helianthus Helianthus
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Monarda didyma Flowers
Phlox paniculata Phlox paniculata
Verbena canadensis Verbena canadensis

Heliopsis helianthoides

Previously known as:

  • Heliopsis scabra
Phonetic Spelling
hee-lee-OP-sis hee-lee-an-THOY-dees
Description

Heliopsis helianthoides is similar to Helianthus, the true sunflower. It is an easy to grow plant that flourishes in moist to dry, open woodlands, prairies, and fields. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poor soil but does best in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. 

Ox-Eye is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 3 to 5 feet tall. The leaves are opposite with a toothed margin and a sandpapery texture. Yellow flowers with a golden center mature from mid-summer into the fall.

Habitat: Forests, woodlands, woodland borders

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Some susceptibility to aphids. Taller plants may need staking or other support.

Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Sunken Pond Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Burning Hearts'
  • 'Light of Loddon'
    bright yellow, 3" wide semi-double flowers
  • 'Lorraine Sunshine'
    yellow daisy-like flowers with variegated foliage (white with green veins)
  • 'Summer Nights'
    Golden yellow flowers with mahogany red centers
  • 'Summer Sun'
    3" double golden flowers
  • 'Sunstruck'
    Similar to ‘Loraine Sunshine’ but more compact, with more ray florets and a deeper flower color
  • 'Tuscan Sun'
    Compact, up to 18", yellow flowers. Good for containers
'Burning Hearts', 'Light of Loddon', 'Lorraine Sunshine', 'Summer Nights', 'Summer Sun', 'Sunstruck', 'Tuscan Sun'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall interest#cottage garden#moist soil#fire medium flammability#NC native#well-drained soil#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#poor soils tolerant#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#FACU Piedmont Mountains#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#partial shade tolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#th-sight
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Burning Hearts'
  • 'Light of Loddon'
    bright yellow, 3" wide semi-double flowers
  • 'Lorraine Sunshine'
    yellow daisy-like flowers with variegated foliage (white with green veins)
  • 'Summer Nights'
    Golden yellow flowers with mahogany red centers
  • 'Summer Sun'
    3" double golden flowers
  • 'Sunstruck'
    Similar to ‘Loraine Sunshine’ but more compact, with more ray florets and a deeper flower color
  • 'Tuscan Sun'
    Compact, up to 18", yellow flowers. Good for containers
'Burning Hearts', 'Light of Loddon', 'Lorraine Sunshine', 'Summer Nights', 'Summer Sun', 'Sunstruck', 'Tuscan Sun'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fall interest#cottage garden#moist soil#fire medium flammability#NC native#well-drained soil#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#clumping#poor soils tolerant#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#FACU Piedmont Mountains#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#partial shade tolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#th-sight
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Heliopsis
    Species:
    helianthoides
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and eastern North America
    Distribution:
    Southern Quebec to Florida, West to southeast British Columbia and to New Mexico
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Its flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Its seed may be eaten by songbirds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from August to November
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Oxeyes have yellow-orange rays surrounding brownish-yellow center cones. Blooms from May to October.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Heat
    Poor Soil