Helianthus decapetalus Capenoch Star

Helianthus decapetalus 'Capenoch Star', also known as perennial sunflower, is a non-invasive woody-stemmed plant that forms a tall and bushy clump, with sturdy stems, flowering from late summer until the first frost. Its daisy-like flowers are intense golden yellow, with a darker yellow rounded heart, resembling a pompom, and its elongated and toothed leaves are an elegant dark green. This sunflower is the garden's final smile, bringing life and cheer to wildflower beds and autumn foliage at the end of the season. It thrives in ordinary soil, preferably moist but occasionally dry, in full sun.

Helianthus decapetalus, or Ten-petaled Sunflower, belongs to the Asteraceae family. This tall perennial is native to the central and southeastern United States. The 'Capenoch Star' variety can reach a height of 1.30m (4ft) with a spread of 60cm (24in) at the base. The whole plant forms a bouquet of sturdy, glabrous stems at the base, bristly and rough towards their ends, and branching. The flowering period occurs from September to October-November. The flower heads appear in large numbers at the top of the stems, resembling well-double and round daisies with a diameter of 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in). The ligules are wide, intense golden yellow, arranged radially around a wide and prominent heart that darkens to yellow-orange when mature. The deciduous leaves are dark green, lanceolate to obovate, with a velvety underside, measuring 10cm (4in) in length and toothed. They are distributed all the way up the stems.

The great advantage of perennial sunflowers is their late flowering and excellent adaptation to heavy, clayey, and even limestone soils. Helianthus decapetalus 'Capenoch Star' is an excellent long-lasting perennial. Vigorous, it is perfect for the back of flower beds or mixed borders. It is a plant with a wild look that fits well in slightly untamed areas of the garden, alongside Cosmos, sainfoin, tall Scabious, and pendulous Liatris, for example. Another idea for companion planting with equally easy plants is Vernonia noveboracensis, Eupatorium fistulosum, Andropogon virginicus, Muhlenbergia capillaris. Its tall stature allows it to be placed in front of deciduous shrubs: Spireas, Hydrangea quercifolia, Cotinus, which will serve as natural supports while blending their autumn colours with its sunny flowering.