False Sunflower

Perennial  •  $6, 4-inch pot 

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Height	3 to 5 ft
Spacing	2 to 3 ft
Sun Exposure	Full Sun
Soil Conditions	Medium to Medium-Dry
Bloom Color	Yellow
Bloom Time	June, July, Aug
Companion Plantings	Purple Coneflower, Northern Blazing Star
Special Attributes

Heliopsis helianthoides

Also called Early Sunflower, Oxeye Daisy, or just Heliopsis, this is a bright, upright perennial in the Asteraceae family that is easy to grow. This plant prefers moist but well-drained soil, but will tolerate clay or poor soils, making it a versatile landscape plant for clay-rich Kentuckiana. This plant attracts many types of pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies, and would pair well with some of its mid-summer purple-flowering prairie neighbors, like Coneflower or Blazing Star.

The species epithet refers to this plant’s resemblance to sunflowers, which is unsurprising given the similarity of its flowers. However, unlike our native sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), False Sunflower does not spread aggressively by rhizomes and is thus much better suited to smaller landscapes or garden beds.

This plant is a fast grower and quick to get established, often flowering in its first year. Plants may need staking if not grown alongside other taller plants or grasses.

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