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