Helianthus occidentalis

Family: Asteraceae

Common name: SUNFLOWER

Native to: Florida And Texas, Minnesota To Ohio

Sentiment: false riches

Plant

Type: perennial

Form: erect

Max height: 6.6 feet

Max width: 3.3 feet

Flower

secondary color present, yellow

Leaf

green

Horticulture

Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bird, specific butterfly species

Plant part consumed by birds: seeds

Exposure: sun

Landscape use: container

Propagates by: seed

flowers in fall

flowers in summer

Soil type: well drained

USDA Zones: zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f

Temp. range: -30 to +30 °F

Water: moist, regular

Helianthus, or SUNFLOWER, a member of the Compositae (Aster) family with 85 species, is a wildlife favorite, as squirrels, birds, and butterflies all enjoy this plant. They grow in Zones 4-9 and prefer regular watering. There are at least six species in cultivation and numerous cultivars. Helianthus angustifolius, laevigatus, maximiliani, and occidentalis are cultivated perennials that grow from seed. Helianthus annus, as the name suggests, is an annual.

Helianthus maximiliani, grows to nearly 6 1/2' tall x 3 1/2' wide in Zones 4-9, and is native to Florida to Texas, and Minnesota to Ohio. It is a perennial that prefers regular or moist watering, and well-drained soil. Grow it in full sun, or in a very bright sunny spot that may get light shade in late afternoon. It produces large yellow flowers in summer and fall. Try it in a container? Maybe, if it is a really big one.

In addition to the butterflies that nectar on plants in the Compositae family, Helianthus attracts Lycaena editha, EDITH'S COPPER.

Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial

This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.

Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.

Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.

By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.

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