(Giant Sunflower)

Introduced in 1994 by the North Carolina-based Niche Gardens, 'Sheila's Sunshine' has lots of lovely pastel yellow flowers that appear in summer or early fall. The plants become quite tall, like wild-type Helianthus giganteus, so it is essential to offer them lots of growing space.

The aptly named giant sunflower can reach huge heights. Though not commonly garden cultivated, it offers lovely yellow daisies in midsummer or fall. Native populations exist across much of eastern North...

(Maximilian's Sunflower)

This is one of the most cultivated of the tall perennial sunflowers. It is a true prairie forb that exists across much of North America from California to Quebec. Natural populations favor rocky or fertile prairies, limestone-rich soils, roadsides and old fields. The plants have tall, upright stems and form substantial clumps.

The long, fuzzy, green leaves of Maximilian's sunflower curve backwards and look as if they've been folded upwards at the ends, so water funnels across them as if from...

(Fewleaf Sunflower)

Pretty yellow daisies appear on this small, sparsely leaved sunflower in mid to late summer. Fewleaf sunflower naturally inhabits prairies, old fields and roadsides across the eastern United States. This true forb is clump-forming and easy to manage in the garden.

The pale green leaves are thickest at the base of the plant. Few appear along the flower stems. Flowering occurs from mid to late summer. The daisies are single, bright yellow with yellow or greenish brown centers. The flowers are not...

(Willowleaf Sunflower)

The big, bold willowleaf sunflower is a tall, upright perennial that originates from regions throughout the central and eastern United States. It inhabits open prairies, old fields and areas with limestone bedrock. Once established, it is a tough plant that will withstand hot summers and some drought.

In the spring and summer this clump-forming plant offers tall upright stems lined with fine, linear green leaves that arch downward and move in the wind. These are beautiful in and of themselves....

(First Light Willowleaf Sunflower, Willowleaf Sunflower)

Bred in New Zealand by Keith R.W. Hammett, this compact willowleaf sunflower is characterized by its strong, well-branched stems, bright yellow flowers and good garden performance.

Willowleaf sunflower is a tall, upright perennial that originates the central and eastern United States where it inhabits open prairies, old fields and areas with limestone bedrock. Once established, it is a tough plant that will withstand hot summers and limited drought.

In the spring and summer this clump-forming...

(Willowleaf Sunflower)

Bred in New Zealand by Keith R.W. Hammett, this super compact willowleaf sunflower is characterized by its low, mounding habit, bright yellow flowers and good garden performance.

Willowleaf sunflower is a tall, upright perennial that originates the central and eastern United States where it inhabits open prairies, old fields and areas with limestone bedrock. Once established, it is a tough plant that will withstand hot summers and limited drought.

In the spring and summer this clump-forming...

(Table Mountain Willowleaf Sunflower, Willowleaf Sunflower)

A shorter and more compact selection of the willowleaf sunflower, 'Table Mountain' offers a clump of upright stems with narrow leaves topped by a plateau of semi-double daisies that are yellow with a dark center. It is a clump-formung perennial that spreads slowly over time. At one-third the size of its parent, it allows gardeners with limited space to enjoy a sunflower in bloom from summer through fall.

In the spring and summer this clump-forming plant offers upright stems lined with fine,...

(Paleleaf Woodland Sunflower, Woodland Sunflower)

Striking leaves and bright flowers lend this tall perennial sunflower marked appeal. Woodland sunflower is native throughout Eastern North America from Quebec down to Florida. In the wild it can be found growing in prairies, thickets, open woods and roadsides. It is tall and has an upright habit.

The pale green, lance-shaped leaves of this species are opposite, flat and held horizontally along the main stem. Occasionally the undersides of the leaves and stems have a purplish hue. Flowering may...

(Jerusalem Artichoke, Sunchoke)

Whether grown for its beautiful sunflowers or edible tubers, Jerusalem artichoke is a great garden plant with a lot of utility. This tall perennial is native to much of North America—from Canada down to northern Florida. In the wild, it favors open meadows, old fields, thickets and roadsides. The plants spread by rhizomes to form very large clumps. Its crisp, flavorful tubers were an essential food for many Native American tribespeople. This species has been introduced and become naturalized in temperate...

(Many-flowered Sunflower)

Lots of golden daisies cover this vigorous garden favorite in summer. The many-flowered sunflower is a naturally occurring hybrid cross between the annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and perennial thinleaf sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus). It has been highly cultivated and there are lots of garden varieties to choose from. The clump-forming plants are moderately tall and long-blooming.

The rough-textured leaves or many-flowered sunflower are medium to dark green, broad...