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Heliopsis helianthoides is a hardy wildflower common throughout the Eastern US, and useful in a variety of conditions. Commonly called “False Sunflower” or “Smooth Oxeye” or “Sunflower-everlasting” it has a long bloom period from late June all the way into October, with established plants blooming continuously for weeks or even months. They can tolerate a range of soil and light conditions, from riverbanks to dry slopes. They are abundant along roadsides and woodland edges, forming large colonies, but are great as garden plants. They can have a shrubby habit, reaching up to 5’ in height and spreading 3-4’ outward, although they will not spread via rhizomes unlike true sunflowers. They can reseed but are not considered weedy, and are tolerant of drought and poor soils. They have deep, fibrous roots, so work well in rain gardens. Overall a great choice for naturalized landscapes.
Heliopsis helianthoides is not a true sunflower, but has many similar advantages. It has large open flowers, and blooms for a long period of time, making it a great food source for pollinators. A wide range of specialist bees feed on this species, as well as many butterflies, moths, and beneficial insects. Birds also enjoy the seeds, and this can be a host plant for several species of butterflies and moths. While deer may browse on Heliopsis it is not their preferred food and can withstand regular browse once established, as well as rabbits.
Pollinators: bumblebees, cellophane bees, fairy bees, leafcutter bees, long-horned bees, miner bees, small carpenter bees, sweat bees, butterflies, moths, flower flies, beetles, horse guard wasps, mason wasps, scoliid wasps
Host Plant for Butterflies/Moths: 8+ species of moths in our region, including the Southern Emerald Moth (Synchlora frondaria); Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis)
Dependent species: 1 oligolectic bee species - Melissodes trinodis
Wildlife Value: Songbirds, Wood Warblers, shelter
Deer Resistance: Good
Native Region: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont
Seed Origin: NC, nursery collected seed
Light Recommendation: Full Sun, Part-sun
Soil Moisture Recommendation: Moist, Medium, Medium-Dry
USDA Zones: 3-9
States found in our region: AL, DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
Other states found: AR, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, SD, TX, WI
