False sunflower is our August Plant of the Month for 2024. Also known as ox-eye sunflower, this native perennial has become quite popular in the garden. With recent breeding work in favor of more colorful cultivars, there is a plant for everyone. False sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) is native east of the Rocky Mountains and is one of 3 species of Heliopsis in North America. It is a member of the Aster Family is closely related to sunflowers.
To distinguish it from true sunflowers, look at the flowers, which are held more upright than true sunflowers. Also, both the ray and disc florets can produce seeds, while on true sunflowers only the disc florets produce seeds. In the wild, false sunflower can be found in glades, meadows, prairies, woodland edges, and rocky hilltops. It can be planted in full sun to part shade, and it tolerates a variety of soils, though it does not like to be in standing water.
Cultivars of False Sunflower
Thanks to a variety of different breeding programs, we now have several new cultivars different from the standard gold colored flowers. Also, there has been development in getting darker colored foliage, which may be more pest resistant. I am actually disappointed in the Proven Winners brand, because the only cultivars they have are gold flowered. But maybe they have something coming in the future.
Gold Flowered Cultivars
Besides the typical species, there are several cultivars with gold flowers.
- Tuscan Gold grows 2.5 feet tall by 2 feet wide.
- Tuscan Sun grows 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide and is a little brighter in color than Tuscan Gold.
- Bit of Honey has green and white variegated leaves which look like iron chlorosis to me. But hey, to each his own! It grows 2 feet tall and wide.
- Sunstruck grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide and also has variegated green and white foliage.
- Venus grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
- Asahi has double flowers and grows 2 to 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide.
Other Cultivars of False Sunflower
- Bleeding Hearts has dark green to purple colored foliage, and orange-red flowers. It grows 3.5 feet tall and wide.
- Summer Eclipse has dark purple-green foliage with red-orange flowers. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
- Burning Hearts has purple black foliage and gold flowers with orange centers. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
- Fire Twister has purple green leaves and dark red flowers. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
Pollinators
False sunflower has a long bloom period, actually starting before August. It typically blooms from June to September. Because of that, it attracts a wide range of pollinators. And being a member of the Aster Family does not hurt it either.
Pollinators include many types of bees, butterflies, wasps, flower flies, bee flies, beetles, and skippers. A few moths may also visit the flowers, while a few moths and several beetles use it as a host plant.
Pests and Problems
False sunflower has few if any pests or problems. Powdery mildew could be an issue if planted in a damp or area of low air movement. There are some beetles, bugs, moths, and flies which feed on various parts of the plant, but which do not cause enough damage to consider controlling. The only other issue is with the native species, which may be aggressive by seed in an open landscape. If you are not planting the species in a meadow or prairie garden, then be ready to see lots of seedlings.
Companion Plants of False Sunflower
In the garden, there are a variety of other perennials which bloom at similar times and compliment false sunflowers. By mixing them into and among other flowers, especially natives, you will get the more natural look, as seen in nature. I like to pair it with grasses and other native perennials from the Central Great Plains and Midwestern regions.
- Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’
- Baptisia cultivars
- Purple coneflower
- Switchgrass
- Indiangrass
- Little bluestem
- Geranium ‘Rozanne’
- Woolly verbena
- Culver’s Root
- Rattlesnake Master
- Aromatic aster
Conclusion
False sunflower is not only a long blooming perennial for the garden with lots of great cultivars, it makes a great cut flower too. Add some of the unique cultivars to your garden and be ready for beautiful blooms and long lasting flower power.
Happy planting!
