Helianthus strumosus Pale-leaved Sunflower

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Helianthus strumosus visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
A close up of a yellow Helianthus strumosus bud just beginning to open.
Helianthus strumosus
A patch of Helianthus strumosus sunflowers that are so thick nothing else is growing in-between them
Pale-leaved Sunflower stand up straight and tall, no need to worry about staking these sunflowers

Cultivation Information Pale-leaved Sunflower
Perennial Sunflower
Height - 3ft Flower Color - YellowBlooms - June - OctoberSun - Sun/part sun - Ours are growing in our front yard under a Honey Locus Tree that is on the west side of the property
Hardy Zone - 3 to 8Soil - Moist to normal - Since my plants are in the front yard I must admit that I water them during hot spells. Maybe not the most ideal spot, but I simply love the way they brighten up our front yard.
pH -
Family - Asteraceae
Several yellow Palesunfllowers with petals and several going to seed
Pale-leaved Sunflower brightening up our front yard
Ten bright yellow petals on Pale-leaved Sunflower with orange center, lots of green leaves in background
Pale-leaved Sunflower
Wildlife Significance Pale-leaved Sunflower
Seed - For birds, squirrels, chipmunks
Nectar Source - Butterflies
Host Plant - Sunflowers are the host plant for Silvery checkerspot, Gorgone checkerspot, American lady, Painted lady
Nectar - Pollen Source - All Helianthus species attract a wide variety of insects:including bees, wasps, flies, and pollen eating beetles.
Native Bees that Specialize in Sunflowers - Diadasia, Melissodes, Eucera, Svastra8
For detailed information visit the Illinois Wildflower site

Propagation Notes Pale-leaved Sunflower

We have had a great deal of success propagating these native, Ohio, perennial, sunflowers simply by allowing them to self seed in the fall, then transplanting young seedlings in the spring.
Pale-leaved Sunflowers also spread by rhizomes, luckily they are easy to remove if found wandering into a section of the garden where they are not welcome. Although I must say they really don't roam outside their designated area. My guess is the birds gobble the seed before it has a chance to germinate. On the other hand customers have told me this plant is too aggressive for their taste. My recommendation would be to choose a location in your yard that has filtered shade and is well drained the give the luxury of spreading their wings! Or in this case rhizomes.

Seed Provenance Helianthus strumosus
Nodding Onion Gardens - 2012 - present - Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN - 2011