False Sunflower
The false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), also known as oxeye sunflower, is an easy-growing herbaceous perennial plant that naturalizes in grasslands and at the edge of woodlands. The botanical name of Heliopsis helianthoides is a mouthful, but it basically means sunflower-like. (Helios was the Greek sun god.) And that's what these plants are. Although similar in looks, Heliopsis helianthoides is not the same as the perennial sunflower in the genus, and consequently, it's been given the common name of false sunflower.
False sunflowers are a native wildflower in a large portion of North America—everywhere except for the western third of the continent. In the garden, they're best started in the spring or fall, and they grow fairly quickly but likely won't bloom in their first year. False sunflowers feature upright clumps, triangular-shaped leaves and branching stems that allow the plants to grow in a bushy habit. The double or single daisy-like, yellow-orange flowers surround a cone-shaped, golden-brown center disk. These plants are not invasive or toxic, so they are friendly to both your garden beds and pets.
False Sunflower Care
False sunflowers are fairly easy to care for and are clump-forming so do not spread except by seed. This is a reliable repeat bloomer, and you should have flowers for 6 to 8 weeks, from summer into fall. Deadheading (removing spent blooms) will help to keep new buds forming and give the plant a tidier appearance. Moreover, many varieties can get top-heavy and require staking. You also can prune or pinch them back in mid-spring for a shorter, sturdier plant. However, doing this will delay blooming for a couple of weeks.
These plants are great for border plants and brighten up any garden bed with their bright yellowish orange blooms. Plus, false sunflowers make lovely cut flowers and are very attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It is also a deer-resistant plant.
Light
These plants prefer full sun to grow and bloom their best.
Soil
False sunflowers can thrive in a variety of soil types. They can even tolerate dry, poor, rocky, sandy, and clay soils. However, they prefer average, well-draining soil with a neutral soil pH for optimal growth.
Water
Although false sunflowers can tolerate drought, they do best with regular watering to keep the soil moderately moist.
Temperature and Humidity
False sunflowers are cold-hardy perennials that will come back year after year in northern climates up to USDA growing zone 3.
Pruning
False sunflowers do well when pruned. In the spring, to get those nice, fully formed plants, pinch the tips off the ends of the stems on the plant to encourage them to branch out. As false sunflowers bloom, deadhead any flowers that are spent, which will help stimulate new buds to form.
Propagating False Sunflowers
False sunflowers are clump-forming and tend to stay in one place, rather than spreading throughout the garden. Dividing your plants every two to three years will keep the clumps from dying in the center. You can do this in either the spring or fall. Here's how:
- Select the plant to be divided and using a spade or shovel, dig up the plant making sure to dig deep enough not to disturb the root ball.
- Any dead, mushy, or broken roots should be cut off the root ball with pruning shears before separating the plant.
- Using a sharp knife cut the plant apart in half or thirds.
- Plant the divided plants immediately in a prepared suitable location and water the soil till moist but not overwet.
vated to avoid ground frost.
How to Get False Sunflowers to Bloom
These bright, cheery flowers love to bloom and will start flowering in early July and go through August. To keep false sunflowers blooming longer, simply take off any flowers that are done blooming by deadheading them. This process not only keeps the plants looking fresh and neat, but also encourages more flowers. Trimming the plants if they get too tall or look scraggly will also encourage further flowering.
| Common Name | False sunflower, oxeye sunflower |
| Botanical Name | Heliopsis helianthoides |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous, perennial |
| Mature Size | 3-6 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Moist but well-drained, loamy |
| Soil pH | Acidic, neutral, alkaline |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Yellow, orange |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-9 (USDA) |
| Native Area | North America |
Source:
How to Grow and Care for False Sunflowers (thespruce.com)