Heliopsis helianthoides - Early Sunflower

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

Heliopsis helianthoides Early Sunflower

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

Cultivation Information Heliopsis helianthoides

Seed Provenance Heliopsis helianthoides

Wildlife Significance Early Sunflower

Propagation Notes Early Sunflower

Stratifying Seeds