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Annual Biennial

Helianthus microcephalus

A woody, clump-forming perennial species of sunflower to around 200cm in height, forming a tall, bushy clump of narrow, tapered green leaves with velvety undersides and red stems. Delicate, golden yellow daisy-like flowers with darker centres appear from mid-summer through until the autumn. This woodland perennial, unlike other perennial sunflowers, is non-invasive and makes a great addition to wildflower beds

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Clump forming
Genus: Helianthus can be tall, erect annuals, tuberous or rhizomatous perennials, with coarse simple leaves and large daisy-like flower-heads
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, neutral to alkaline, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring or division in autumn. Divide every three years to maintain vigour. See propagate by seed (sown indoors) or

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back in the autumn or leave for birds to eat the seeds

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and sclerotinia diseases

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