Growing Perennial Sunflower (Helianthus): Tall, Late-Summer Blooms

Growing Helianthus (Perennial Sunflower)

Pronunciation: hee-lee-an'-thus

Perennial sunflowers reach 5–8 feet with 2-inch lemon-yellow flowers (single or double) in July–September. Rough, hairy stems and leaves. Excellent for back of border or meadow.

Culture

Full sun; average soil. Fertilize sparingly—excess nitrogen reduces flowers. Water during dry spells. Divide every 2–3 years. Mildew may appear in humid regions.

Companions

Pair with Heliopsis, Rudbeckia, Helenium, daylilies, and ornamental grasses.