Eastern Ox-eye Heliopsis helianthoides
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Heliopsis scabra
- Phonetic Spelling
- hee-lee-OP-sis hee-lee-an-THOY-dees
- Description
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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:
- Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Sunken Pond Garden Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Pollinator Haven Garden in Sanford, Lee County 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'
- 'Burning Hearts', 'Light of Loddon', 'Lorraine Sunshine', 'Summer Nights', 'Summer Sun', 'Sunstruck', 'Tuscan Sun'
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Burning Hearts', 'Light of Loddon', 'Lorraine Sunshine', 'Summer Nights', 'Summer Sun', 'Sunstruck', 'Tuscan Sun'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from August to November
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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.
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
