Image of Helianthus divaricatus
Source: Short Hike
image of Flowering plant
Helianthus divaricatus
Woodland Sunflower
Hélianthe à feuilles étalées

Obsolete Names

divergent sunflower
hélianthe divariqué
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Yellow Bloom period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
bee host Bee host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Helianthus divaricatus
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Helianthus divaricatus

  • Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades)
  • Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Ruby Tiger)

Specialized Bees Supported by Helianthus divaricatus

  • Andrena aliciae
  • Andrena chromotricha
  • Andrena helianthi
  • Complexe Colletes americanus
  • Dianthidium simile
  • Megachile inimica
  • Megachile pugnata
  • Melissodes agilis
  • Melissodes denticulatus
  • Melissodes illatus
  • Melissodes trinodis
  • Perdita pallidipennis
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy)
  • Gerbera (Gerbera Daisy)
  • Helianthus).1 (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Non-Native False Sunflower)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds easily fall off when you gently pull them off
  • Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.