Helianthus 'Lemon Queen'

Prefers moist or average soils in full sun. Do not spoil it with excessive water and fertilizer or it may lodge a bit. The rhizomes are attentuated, so the clump gradually grows larger. Propagate by seed, cuttings or division. Helianthus spread vigorously. Use in the back of a border garden to accent lower growing perennials.

Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' is a selection of the naturally occurring hybrid of Helianthus pauciflorus var. subrhomboideus x Helianthus tuberosus. H. 'Lemon Queen' stands above the rest with its rich lemon-yellow blooms and stately architecture. It reaches its full height at the end of summer when it puts on its show of dense daisy-like flowers. Lanceolate foliage is rough and coarse, setting a strong foil against the bright cheerful flowerheads. While some may be nervous about planting a perennial that reaches 6’-8’ tall and 4’-6’ wide, we find it to be the perfect size in the back of the border or in the center of an island bed – too often it is seen that landscapes are intimidated by large scale and choose diminutive plants towered over by large structure or open grounds. This is a plant that will stand its ground.

Although this Helianthus prefers mesic-moist soils it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. H. ‘Lemon Queen’ needs full sun and average levels of soil organic matter – too much fertilizer will make the plants stretch and flop. Though it is not particularly aggressive, we have observed it gradually spread rhizomatously.

Noted by University of Vermont to be an outstanding perennial in 2003, the wide range of soil conditions, cold tolerance, and long season of bloom make Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ a stalwart favorite. This plant was placed in our Lower Trials back in 2007 and puts on a good show, year after year.