Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Summer Nights'

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false sunflower 'Summer Nights'

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false sunflower 'Summer Nights' John Fielding

Synonyms

Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Sommernächte'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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An erect, clump-forming herbaceous plant with dark green-bronze leaves and dark red purple stems. Golden yellow flowers with a red-brown centre are produced from summer through until the autumn.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Heliopsis are robust perennials with stiff, erect stems; opposite, lance-shaped leaves and showy rich yellow to orange flowers similar to sunflowers
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigour. May need support, see staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by division spring or autumn. Root basal cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut back to ground level in the late autumn. Regularly dead head through the summer

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs when new growth starts

Diseases

Generally disease-free