Helianthus occidentalis (Western Sunflower)
Western Sunflower, Fewleaf Sunflower, Mcdowell's Sunflower
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
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 |
| 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 | Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
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 |
| 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 | Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
