(Cucumberleaf Sunflower)

Tolerant of the high winds, aerosol salt, and sharply drained soils of beach and dune landscapes, beach sunflower is a lovely, resilient perennial for sunny landscapes. It naturally occurs along coastal regions from Maine to Texas. There are also populations along the beaches of the Great Lakes. Northern seedstock is hardier than southern. There plants may be low-growing and spreading or upright in habit, depending on the subspecies. There are eight in total including the upright Helianthus debilis...

(Giant Sunflower)

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 America from Quebec down to Georgia. It favors swampy areas, moist meadows and old fields. The plants have tall, upright stems and form substantial clumps.

The leaves of giant sunflower are lance-shaped, rich green and borne on green or purple stems. Bloom time depends on geographic location....

(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...

(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...