Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Soil Type: Loam, Sand, Clay
Height: 5-8 feet
Spread: 3-4 feet
Blooms: August, September, October
Root: Fibrous, Rhizome
Habitat: Prairies
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Naturalized areas, Meadow plantings
Complimentary Plants: Indiangrass, New England Aster, Big Bluestem
Wildlife Value: The polen and nectar is 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: Coldwater, Ontario
Germination Code: C(30)
Photo credits: #1 by USFWS Mountain-Prairie, #2 by Matt Lavin, #3 by Matt Lavin
Helianthus maximiliani - Maximilian Sunflower
Maximilian Sunflower has many large flowers that bloom late in the season - an important nutrition source for overwintering bees and butterflies. This is a large plant, reaching height of 8 feet! All Helianthus (Sunflower) species can spread aggresively, so be mindful of this when planning your design. Maximilian Sunflower is used in restoration plantings for habitat development and prairie restoration. It has even been used as a bioremediation plant with native grasses to revegetate coalmine spoils!
*All helianthus species can be aggresive in their spreading and may not be suitable for small gardens.
Ethnobotanical notes: Native Americans used parts of this plant as sources of food, oil, dye, and thread. Pioneers planted Maximilian sunflowers near their homes to repel mosquitoes and used the blossoms in bathwater to relieve arthritis pain. Sunflower seeds are eaten as snack items and sprinkled on salads and other foods.