Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium
Soil Type: Loam, Sand, Loam-Clay
Height: 5-10 feet
Spread: 3-4 feet
Blooms: July, August, September
Root: Fibrous, Rhizome
Habitat: Wet meadows, Wet sand prairies, Thickets, Marshes
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Naturalized areas, Meadow plantings
Complimentary Plants: Tall ironweed, Culvers Root, New England Aster
Wildlife Value: The pollen and nectar are very attrative to many types of native bees, butteflies feed on the nectar. Birds eat the seeds. Host Plant: Silvery checkerspot, Painted Lady
Seed Origin: Winona, MN (Prairie Moon seed supplier)
Germination Code: C(30)
Photo credits: #1 by Joe deSousa
Helianthus giganteus- Tall Sunflower
This is a tall plant - able to reach 10 feet high, with bright yellow blooms at the top of the purplish stems. It grows best in rich, moist soils with full sun to part sun. This is a keystone plant - having a special value for a wide range of native bees. Approximately, 25 types of butterflies and moths feed on this sunflower.
*All helianthus species can be aggresive in their spreading and may not be suitable for small gardens.