Helianthus microcephalus

Helianthus microcephalus, also known as the perennial sunflower with small flowers, is a non-invasive woody-stemmed plant that forms an elevated and bushy clump, with sturdy stems, flowering from the heart of summer until autumn with small, simple, golden yellow daisies with a darker centre. This sunflower will bring much joy to wildflower beds and the blooming masses of asters at the end of the season. Perennial sunflowers have a bad reputation due to the wild species that were previously offered, which tended to invade the entire garden due to their long trailing rhizomes. The plants we offer are minimally or not trailing at all. They grow well in any ordinary soil, even clayey or dry, in full sun.

Helianthus microcephalus belongs to the Asteraceae family. The Helianthus genus includes one of the world's most important oilseed plants, the sunflower, from which oil is extracted. This perennial sunflower with small leaves is native to North America. It forms a large, erect clump, somewhat spreading, reaching a height of 1.50m (5ft) with a base spread of 50cm (20in). The overall appearance is a bouquet of sturdy, rough, dark, woody, and ramified stems. The flowering period takes place from July to October, and it is highly attractive to bees. The flowers appear at the top of the stems, in large numbers, resembling small, round daisies with a diameter of 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in), with an intense yellow colour and a slightly brown centre. The deciduous, dark green, obovate, and villous leaves measure 8cm (3in) in length and are distributed all the way to the top of the stems.

The great advantage of perennial sunflowers is their late flowering and excellent adaptation to heavy, clayey, wet, and even calcareous soils. Helianthus microcephalus is an excellent non-invasive perennial, with good longevity and durability. Vigorous, it is perfect for the back of borders or beds, or even in mixed borders. It has a wildflower appearance and, as such, it integrates well into slightly wild areas of the garden, alongside Cosmos, perennial sweet peas, tall Scabious, Gaillardias, Japanese anemones, and trailing Liriope. Another idea for association with equally easy plants: Vernonia noveboracensis, Symphyotrichum laeve var. 'Bluebird', Eupatorium fistulosum, Symphyotrichum georgianum, Andropogon virginicus, Muhlenbergia capillaris.