Silphium sunflower will look great in the background of sunny wildflower beds. It has dark green, heart-shaped leaves at the base of the plant, and the tall, nearly leafless stems can each produce about a dozen yellow flowers to attract a wide variety of pollinators. As sunflowers go, this is a good one for small gardens because it has short rhizomes and isn't terribly aggressive. It also manages a bit more self-restraint than other sunflowers when grown in rich or amended soil by not growing 10 feet tall or flopping over.

 

Uses:  Birds, butterflies, bees

Bloom time:  August - September

 

Height:  3 to 6 feet

Space:  18 to 24 inches

 

Sun:  Full sun to light shade

Moisture:  Dry to average

 

Seed:  Sow seed November through February or provide at least 4 weeks cold moist stratification.