Source: Jasper Shide
Heliopsis helianthoides
False Sunflower
Héliopsis faux-hélianthe
Obsolete Names
smooth oxeye
sunflower heliopsis
sunflower-everlasting
sweet oxeye
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Dry
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Yellow
Bloom period: Jun - Sep
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates dry soil condition
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Bee host
Keystone species
Tolerates:
Tolerates drought conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant is septic tank safe
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Boreal Plains
- Boreal Shield
- Pacific Maritime
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Heliopsis helianthoides
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Heliopsis helianthoides
- Melissodes trinodis
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- Agastache foeniculum
Anise Hyssop
Agastache fenouil - Andropogon gerardi
Big Bluestem
Barbon de Gérard - Solidago juncea
Early Goldenrod
Verge d'or jonciforme - Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
Sky Blue Aster
Aster azuré - Veronicastrum virginicum
Culver's Root
Véronique de Virginie
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 are dark and dry, and 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 1/8 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: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Remove non seed material
- Harvesting video: Watch here
Toxicity Notes
Inadequate information on toxicity found.