(hee-lee-an’thus)

Common name: Perennial or False Sunflower

Family: Asteraceae (Aster, Composite)

Height x Width: 2-10’ x 3-4’

Growth Rate: fast

Foliage: coarse above and pubescent below; lower often opposite and upper alternate: variously ovate, 3 to 8" long, serrate.

Flowers: Bright yellow heads, 2-6" in diameter, mid to later summer, often species into fall

Hardiness: zones 4-9, depending on species

Soil: wide range of types

Light: full sun

Pests & Problems: none serious

Landscape Habit, Uses: large borders or beds

Other Interest: native to eastern U.S. or North America, depending on species

Other Culture: Space plants well, at least 3-4 feet apart; may need more fertility than most perennials; often require moist soil or abundant water; tends to fall over so may need some support; pruning back once or twice in early summer may prevent falling over and promote later blooms.

Propagation: Division in fall or spring, or by seed.

Species:

• angustifolius (an-gus-ti-fo’le-us) (simulans)-- Swamp Sunflower, 5-7’ x 4’, zones 6-9, foliage is 5-7" long, narrow, entire. Flowers are 2-3" wide, bright yellow, and cover the plant.
• atrorubens (a-tro-rue' bens)-- Darkeye Sunflower, leaves opposite, stems branched, flowers deep yellow with darker red disc; 2-5' tall; good in South; 'Monarch' may be found listed under this species
• decapetalus (dee-ca-pe' tal-us)--Thinleaf Sunflower, thin and sharply serrated leaves; flowers 3" across, single and light yellow, later summer; 4-5' tall
• giganteus (gi-gan-tee' us)--Giant Sunflower, leaves alternate, shallow teeth, slightly hairy; flowers yellow, 2" across in panicles; 6-8 ft tall
• maximiliani (max-i-mill-ee-a' nee)--Maximilian Sunflower, leaves often folded lengthwise and entire; flower spike-like; 6-8' tall
• x multiflorus (mul-ti-flo’rus) (syn. H. decapetalus var. multiflorus)-- Perennial Sunflower, Many-flowered Sunflower, 3-5’ x 3’, zones 4-8, foliage is opposite at the base of the plant, while upper leaves are alternate. They are ovate, 3-8" long, and serrate. Flowers are Bright yellow heads, borne solitary at the terminal end.
• salicifolius (sa-li-ci-fol' ee-us)-- Willowleaf Sunflower, 5-7’ x 4’, zones 3-9, foliage is silmilar to H. angustifolius, but is narrower and smoother. Flowers are similar to H. angustifolius. 'Lemon Queen' may be found under this species.
• resinosus (re-si-no' sus) (tomentosus)-- Hairy Sunflower, 6-8’ x 4’, densely hairy stems, flowers are yellow and produced late in the season.
• simulans: angustifolius

Cultivars: those marked * received an RHS award of merit
 

Cultivar	Species	Flowers	Other
*‘Capenoch Star’		Single, lemon-yellow	3 ½’ tall
‘Corona Dorica’		3-4", double yellow	5’ tall
‘Flore Pleno’		Double yellow, resemble Dahlias	3-5’ tall
'Golden Sun'			see 'Soleil D'or'
'Lemon Queen'		pale yellow 3-5"	5-6' tall
'Limelight'			see 'Lemon Queen'
*‘Loddon Gold’		3-5" deep yellow, pompom	5-6’ tall
'Maximus'	decapetalus	4-5" golden
'Maximus Flore Pleno'	decapetalus	as above only double
‘Meteor’	x multiflorus	Semidouble, gold-yellow	5’ tall
*'Monarch'		deep yellow, darker centers, 6"	6' tall
‘Morning Sun’	decapetalus	Single yellow, yellow-brown centers	5’ tall
'Sheila's Sunshine'	giganteus	pastel yellow, 2"	6-8' tall
‘Soleil d’or’	decapetalus	Gold, quilled rays. semi-double, 3-4"	Multibranched, 4-5’ tall
‘Triomphe de Gand’	decapetalus	Clear yellow, semidouble	3-4’ tall

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