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Prettiest Native Sunflower

10 years ago

Which is the prettiest native sunflower? Tall is good. I live in southeastern MA, but it doesn't have to be native to the northeast, only be able to grow there. I saw a couple in High Country Gardens that I thought were pretty, (esp. Helianthus 'Dakota Sunshine'), but they say on their website that this area gets too much rain for that cultivar. I have clay soil, but can amend it with compost or sand if necessary. Thanks.

Comments (8)

lycopus
10 years ago
My personal favorite is Helianthus mollis.
Iris GW
10 years ago
Helianthus atrorubens.
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bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
10 years ago
Maximilian sunflower (helianthus maximiliani) should grow in your area. A bit different than others in the way it flowers up the stem. Said to get up to 10 ft, but seems to stay in the 4 to 6 ft range in our area (north TX) and does well in clay. May need support depending upon location.

Here is a link that might be useful: Native sunflowers with MA distributions

This post was edited by bostedo on Sun, Sep 29, 13 at 21:31
wisconsitom
10 years ago
I like sawtooth sunflower-Helianthus grosseserratus- for a good, vigorous native sunflower. Truth is, it may be too vigorous in some settings. But a large expanse of this plant in bloom-like right now here in WI-is a sight to behold.

But your question is one of taste. I don't know what you like, so this is just one possibility.

+oM
dandy_line (Z3b N Cent Mn)
10 years ago
H. paucifolia-stays small and doesn't colonize your garden and all the neighborhood around you, like some others we know.

A good way to keep the tall ones in check is to pretend you are buffalo and chop them down a couple times in the summer. By fall the 8 footers will flower about knee high.

Here is a link that might be useful:
wisconsitom
10 years ago
Hi dandy line. I like H. pauciflorus-stiff sunflower-too, but it is also rhizomatous, and therefor capable of spreading clonally, and rapidly. It would be a better choice than grosseseratus for dry, upland sites, being better adapted to dry conditions.

+oM
GreatPlains1
10 years ago
I planted Helianthus argphyllus aka Silver Leaf Sunflower this spring. Its pretty. I only planted one to try it out but I'm going to save seeds. It is just now starting to make buds and its foliage is very pretty and fuzzy. I pulled this photo off google.

I look forward to seeing the Maximillians each fall on the roadsides but I don't have space for them. Its enough to enjoy seeing them in the wild by the hundreds.
AJD1221
10 years ago
Maximillian

This post was edited by NKUSigEp on Sat, Sep 28, 13 at 22:49

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