Plant Calculator
Enter the approximate length and width of the area you will be planting and click 'Calculate' to determine how many Heliopsis helianthoides you will need.
Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions. We encourage you to call us at 877-ECO-PLUG for project specific recommendations and further assistance.
Heliopsis helianthoides
smooth oxeye
- Category: Perennial, Native
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Height: 4-6 Feet
- Spread: 3-5 Feet
- Spacing: 24 Inches
- Bloom Color: Yellow
This local native sunflower happily naturalizes in moist or dry conditions. Upright and clump forming with bright, 2", single, medium gold flowers for eight weeks, peaking in July. Imagine, a self sowing butterfly magnet, that also doubles as a birdfeeder in the fall. Excellent cut flower!
Green Infrastructure
| • | Meadow/Prairie |
Wetland Indicator Status
| • | Obligate Upland (UPL) |
Plug Type
| • | Landscape Plug™ |
Season of Interest (Flowering)
| • | Summer |
Propagation Type
| • | Open pollinated |
Additional Information about Heliopsis helianthoides
Beautiful in its simplicity, Heliopsis helianthoides is a common sight in blackland prairies and open woodlands. False sunflower grows 3’-5’ tall and is covered in 2” single gold flowers for eight weeks, peaking in July. Foliage is glaucous and coarse, resembling a clumping shrub-like cross between Helianthus and Rudbeckia. During the summer, you’ll see the flowers blanketed with pollinators and come fall, the seedheads are visited by local songbirds.
H. helianthoides is found in floodplains, fields and at woods' edge in Quebec and British Columbia south to New Mexico and Georgia. It prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun, but tolerates periods of drought and heavy clay soils. One of its best features is how it happily naturalizes in a broad range of soil conditions, from moist to dry.
False sunflower is considered a short-lived perennial and self-sows readily. For best performance, place in a location where seedlings are encouraged. The plant may require staking, especially in light shade situations. To avoid this or to manage the height, trim back foliage in May. We find it to be a long season performer and oxeye excels in naturalized areas or in the back of a native plant border.
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Heliopsis helianthoides
H. helianthoides is found in flood plains, fields and at woods' edge in Quebec and British Columbia south to New Mexico and Georgia. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun, but may tolerate drought. Propagate by cuttings or division every 2-3 years. Staking is necessary especially in shade. Deadhead to extend the blooming season. Best utilized in the back of a border garden to accent lower growing, brightly colored perennials, as well as wildflower and cutting gardens.
