Characteristics:

Helianthus divaricatus, a perennial wildflower, is known for their bright yellow flower heads that crown the top of stems reaching from 2 and a half to 6 feet in height. These flowers are 1.5 to 3 inches across and feature widely spreading bright yellow rays surrounding a darker yellow central disk. The central disk florets are tubular and around ⅛ an inch long. Overlapping each other around the base of each flowerhead are light green, lanceolate phyllaries. Blooming from September to October, the flowers are followed by small, egg-shaped, slightly flattened achenes famously beloved by birds. These flowerheads sit atop tall stems that are round and somewhat speckled with short stiff hairs. The central stems branch out to produce more flowerheads, and are clad with 2 to 6 inch long, opposite leaves throughout, each leaf rotated 90 degrees from the leaf below. They are lanceolate and are either toothless, or have only a few teeth along their margins. On top they are yellowish-green to medium green, and are dotted with short stiff hairs, while their underside is a paler green and more pubescent. 

Cultivation:

Helianthus divaricatus forms colonies slowly through their rhizomes. They should be divided every 3 or 4 years to keep their spreading under control and increase vitality. They tolerate a variety of soil conditions, and grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Seeds require stratification, or can be sowed in cold seasons. 

Etymology:

Genus name helia comes from helio which is greek for sun, and anthus is greek for flower. 

Helianthus divaricatus Woodland Sunflower

Type: herbaceous perennial

Family: Asteraceae

Height: 2’ - 6’

Spread: 1’ to 3’

Bloom: yellow rays with darker center, September to October

Sun: part shade

Water: dry to medium

Attracts: birds, butterflies

Tolerates: deer, drought

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