Foliage is only 10" tall; flower spikes can reach 6'. Native to Ozark region and further south. Can tolerate dry conditions – good for a warm, dry, sandy or rocky location. Mostly pollinated by moths.
Can be aggressive, may need to weed, but seeds are great for birds. Better in larger gardens. A study in KC showed that Helianthus is one of the plant genera in our area that attracts the largest number of different bee species.
Pollinators love this plant! Has a minty scent. Provide good air circulation to help prevent powdery mildew, which will turn the leaves gray but likely won't kill the plant.
Annual or biennial so must be allowed to reseed. Makes a beautiful statement when planted in masses. Supports the specialist Mining Bee Andrena rudbeckiae, and hosts some moths and butterflies.
Great source of late-season nectar for the bees and butterflies. May get tall and floppy in rich soil so plant with other tall flowers or grasses or trim back through early summer to get a shorter plant. Remove spent flowers in late summer to encourage fa
Beautiful leaves, bloom, and seed pod. Takes a few years before flowering. May flop in too much shade or soil with too much nutrients, otherwise stands upright on its own in a bush-like form.
A cute little grass-looking plant in the Iris family, great for a formal border. May benefit from division every 2-3 years. Mostly pollinated by halictid bees.