HELIANTHUS. Sunflower. The Americas. This genus includes the commercial sunflower, a number of coarse but sometimes showy annuals, and some truly beautiful perennial daisies. They are extremely variable in habit, size, and foliar features. However, most have similar flower heads with many cheery yellow rays and broad, many flowered central disks. The following are easily grown, in most soils, given a sunny exposure, and are hardy to 0^oF or less.

angustifolius. Eastern U.S. An erect perennial with branched, leafy stems, rising as much as 5' from a stout rootstock. The leaves are narrow, of variable length, and deep, rich green in color. Beginning in mid to late summer it produces showers of bright golden 2" flower heads, sometimes edged in white, the entire show lasting for many weeks. This one appreciates plenty of moisture.

maximilianii. This is an impressive—those with small gardens might say, “overwhelming”—perennial. It produces many 5-10' stems each spring from a narrow crown. These are lined by lance shaped leaves up to 1' long. In fall it makes a spectacular show of 2-3" yellow flower heads, clustered at and near the shoot tips. This species thrives with only moderate watering.