Ashy Sunflower, Downy Sunflower
Helianthus mollis (Ashy Sunflower) is an upright perennial with pubescent leaves and stems (covered with hair) giving them an ash-like gray color, hence the common name. The stems are clad with sharply toothed, broad oval leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), and are branched in their upper part. From early summer to early fall, they are topped with a profusion of yellow flowers, 4 in. across (10 cm), each adorn with up to 15-30 yellow rays and a yellow center disk. The blossoms are particularly attractive to birds as they love to eat the seeds directly from the seedheads. Ashy Sunflower spreads in the landscape by rhizomes and self-seeding to form colonies. It is perfect for adding long-lasting summer color in naturalized areas.
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Helianthus |
| Common names | Sunflower |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Midwest, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Bees |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Compositae |
| Genus | Helianthus |
| Common names | Sunflower |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing | 36" (90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Midwest, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Bees |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Helianthus mollis (Ashy Sunflower) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Helianthus mollis (Ashy Sunflower) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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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.
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