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Helianthus maximiliani

Phonetic Spelling
hee-lee-AN-thus maks-ih-mill-ee-ANE-ee
Description

Helianthus maximiliani is a prairie sunflower named after Prince Maxmilian of Germany, a naturalist who lead an expedition to the West from 1832 to 1834.

The Maxmillian Sunflower prefers moist, clay-like soil but is tolerant of a wide variety of soils. It is easily grown from seed and taller plants may benefit from staking.

 

More information on Helianthus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#native perennials#cottage garden#moist soil#spreading#summer flowers#deer resistant#cutting garden#pollinator plant#clumping#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#silvery checkerspot butterfly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#native perennials#cottage garden#moist soil#spreading#summer flowers#deer resistant#cutting garden#pollinator plant#clumping#larval host plant#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#silvery checkerspot butterfly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Helianthus
    Species:
    maximiliani
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    midcontinental prairie regions of North America
    Distribution:
    The United States and Canada, particularly throughout the MidWest US and southern provinces of Canada
    Wildlife Value:
    Numerous species of birds eat the seeds, and it provides nectar to bees and butterflies. This is 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:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    This sunflower provides food for birds and livestock.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flower heads grow on terminal stalks and from leaf axils. The flower head, with 15-19 ray flowers, is deeply veined and slightly toothed on the tip. The green to dark brown center is 1 inch across.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are long and narrow, slightly wavy or toothed on the edges, often folded lengthwise and pointed at the end. They vary in length from up to 10 inches at the bottom to 2 inches at the top. Before this plant loses its leaves in the winter, the leaves may turn purple during fall weather.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Poor Soil