False (Early) Sunflower
Seed Count: approx. 65 seeds
Days to Germinate: 30 days of cold, moist stratification. See: Winter Sowing & Stratification
Depth to Sow: 1/4"
Seed Spacing: When seedlings are 2" high, thin to 1' apart
Color: Yellow
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: June - September
Sun Exposure: Full to partial shade
Soil Moisture: Moist to dry
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained loam, rocky, sand, or clay
Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, songbirds
Natural Habitat: Open woodlands; prairies; fields
Drought Tolerance: High
Deer Resistance: High
Larval Host: Painted lady butterfly
Native Zone: AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Description:
False(Early) Sunflower: Summer in the prairie can be a parade of yellow composite flowers! Often the first to show is the Heliopsis. It is possible to hike from a fairly moist, almost wetland situation to the driest south facing hillside and Early Sunflower can be found all along the way.
Heliopsis helianthoides, variously dubbed Early Sunflower, Sweet Smooth Oxeye, False Sunflower and other common names, is a member of the Aster family. Unlike true sunflowers and most asters, both its disk and ray flowers are capable of producing seed. It blooms profusely through the summer on thin stems above the foliage, in the manner of Rudbeckia.
Easily grown and quick to develop, Heliopsis helianthoides long has been popular in Europe and many large-flowered cultivars have been developed using its western variety. It is a short-lived perennial.
Info from www.prairiemoon.com