Heliopsis helianthoides Early Sunflower

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Heliopsis helianthoides visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website
A thriving patch of Early Sunflowers Roger Dahlin's garden

Cultivation Information Heliopsis helianthoides

Notice the toothed leaves on Early Sunflower
Height - 3 to 5 ftFlower Color - YellowBlooms - June to SeptemberSun - Full Sun to Part ShadeHardy Zone - 5 to 9Soil - Moist to Dry
Family - Asteraceae
Cultivate - Perennial sunflower spreads easily
Goldfinches love Early Sunflower seeds By Ken & Paula Korber
Seed Provenance Heliopsis helianthoides
Nodding Onion Gardens - 2012 - present - Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN - 2011
Heliopsis helianthoides need space or other native plants will move right in!
Wildlife Significance Early Sunflower
Nectar/Pollen - Provides either pollen, nectar or both for: Bees (long and short tongued), wasps, flies and pollen eating beetles.
Nectar Source - For several butterflies: Monarchs, Painted Lady, Red Admiral and skippers
Host Plant - Food for the caterpillar of the Painted Lady Butterfly, various checkerspots
Oligolectic Bees – are bees that are very particular as to what plant family they gather their nectar and pollen. False Sunflower is such a plant for several bees: Andrena accepta, Andrena aliciae, Andrena helianthi, Pseudopanurgus rugosus
Seed - A few of the birds that will visit your Heliopsis helianthoides looking for seed are: Goldfinches, Chickadees, House Sparrows, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Blue Cardinals and Blue Jay, For more details on this plant, visit the Illinois Wildflower website
Propagation Notes Early Sunflower
Stratifying Seeds
Cold Frame - In the fall plant seeds in a flat, then store in a protected cold frame. Check soil during a winter warm spell to be certain seeds don't dry out Alternative method -
Cold Storage - 30 days - Small Zip lock plastic bag with a few tablespoons of moistened vermiculite
Seeds Planted - 2-12-2012Sprouted - 2-19-2012 - Many!
Night Temperature - 61 - 63°FDay Temperature - 64 - 65° F -Under florescent lightsNatural Sunlight - Exposed a few hours each day to sunlight Seeds require cold moist storage in order to germinate