Nuttall's Sunflower
One of the last sunflowers to bloom, Helianthus nuttallii (Nuttall’s Sunflower) is a showy perennial forming a clump of tall and sturdy, green to yellowish or sometimes purplish stems. They boast a profusion of brilliant golden-yellow flowers, 3-4 in. across (7-10 cm), from fall to frost. Each flower features 10-20 yellow rays surrounding a darker center disk. They are an important nectar source for fall migrating monarch butterflies and other pollinators, including bees and moths. Birds, especially Goldfinches, love the small seeds. Opposite on the lower part of the stem, the leaves are alternate higher up, narrowly lanceolate, 2-8 in. long (5-20 cm). Their upper surface is hairless, while their lower surface is rough from short, stiff hairs. Found in moist to wet prairies, meadows, or open spaces, Nuttall’s Sunflower spreads quickly by short but shallow rhizomes, so it is easy to dig out unwanted plants. It is a good choice for a native or pollinator garden, a naturalized area. It is suitable for rain gardens or along streams and ponds. Use as a specimen plant or massed. Give it room to spread, and you will enjoy a profusion of late-season flowers when little else is blooming.
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Genus | Helianthus |
Common names | Sunflower |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Fall |
Height | 3' - 8' (90cm - 240cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Midwest, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Ponds And Streams |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Compositae |
Genus | Helianthus |
Common names | Sunflower |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Fall |
Height | 3' - 8' (90cm - 240cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Midwest, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Ponds And Streams |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Helianthus nuttallii (Nuttall’s Sunflower) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Helianthus nuttallii (Nuttall’s 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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