Create Your Garden

Helianthus occidentalis (Western Sunflower)

Western Sunflower, Fewleaf Sunflower, Mcdowell's Sunflower

Helianthus occidentalis, Western Sunflower, Fewleaf Sunflower, Mcdowell's Sunflower, Yellow Flowers, Yellow Perennials

Perfect for dry soils, Helianthus occidentalis (Western Sunflower) is a showy perennial forming a rosette of large, ovate, medium green, basal leaves. Blooming for an extended period from mid-summer to fall, a profusion of elegant star-like flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), are borne on upright, almost naked, stems. Each flowering stalk terminates in 1-12 flowerheads that are usually arranged in a panicle. The flowers are particularly attractive to birds as they love to eat the seeds directly from the seedheads. Because of its prominent basal leaves and nearly naked flowering stalks, this perennial wildflower has a very distinct appearance among Helianthus spp. (sunflowers). Well-behaved, it is perfect for the sunny border and very effective for erosion control.

  • Typically grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). Will spread by rhizomes to form large colonies.
  • Prefers full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. However, this plant is not too fussy about soils and tolerates a wide range of conditions including poor sandy soils, humusy loams and clays. Drought tolerant.
  • Low maintenance, this is an excellent choice for sunny borders, cottage gardens, bird or butterfly gardens, wildflower gardens, prairies and meadows.
  • Attractive to bird, butterflies, it is deer resistant.
  • Divide every 3-4 years to control spread and maintain plant vigor.
  • Native to central and eastern United States

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Sunflowers


Cherished for their beauty, Sunflowers (Helianthus) are striking ornamental annuals or perennial plants grown for their colorful summer and fall blooms. Fast-growing, they can reward you with glamorous blooms between 55 and 100 days after planting. Here are some basic rules that need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Helianthus
Common names Sunflower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Helianthus (Sunflower)
Not sure which Helianthus (Sunflower) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Helianthus annuus ProCut® White Nite (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ProCut® Red (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Sunrich Summer Provence’ (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Sunrich Gold’ (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Sunny Smile’ (Common Sunflower)
Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’ (Common Sunflower)

Recommended Companion Plants

Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
Asclepias (Milkweed)
Hemerocallis (Daylilies)
Monarda (Bee Balm)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

How to Choose the Perfect Sunflower for Your garden and Pots
10 Reasons Why You Should Grow Sunflowers in Your Garden
Companion Planting With Annuals
Edible Flowers: 16 Varieties to Beautify Your Garden and Plate
Best Annual Flowers For Your Vegetable Garden
Best Annual Flowers and Plants for Full Sun
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Sunflowers
39 Most Beautiful Sunflower Types for Your Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Helianthus
Common names Sunflower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Helianthus (Sunflower)
Not sure which Helianthus (Sunflower) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Helianthus occidentalis (Western Sunflower) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Helianthus occidentalis (Western Sunflower) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone