Oxeye Sunflower - Heliopsis helianthoides

Oxeye sunflower is a large coarse perennial growing up to 5 ft (1.5 m) tall from a heavy fibrous rootstock. The thin 3-6 in (7.6-15.2 cm) dark green ovate leaves have sandpapery surfaces (both above and below) and toothed margins. They grow on short petioles, usually in opposite pairs, but sometimes arranged in whorls of three.

From midsummer into fall, the plants bear 2 in (5.1 cm) flowers scattered singly atop loosely branched tall bare stems. The ragged daisylike blossoms are composed of 10-16 pointed yellow ray flowers and numerous orange disc flowers which mature into smooth 4-angled seeds.

Plant Info

Group: Dicot
Family: Asteraceae
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb
U.S. Nativity: Native

Growing Oxeye Sunflower

Oxeye sunflower will grow in almost any moderately fertile soil. Oxeye sunflower prefers full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Oxeye sunflower likes good drainage and will tolerate dry conditions, but it performs best where the soil stays moist all summer. This species tolerates both severe winters and hot summers well. Heliopsis is easy to grow from seed. Sow the seeds outdoors about two weeks before the last frost. To produce transplants, start them in a greenhouse six to eight weeks before last frost. At 68-70ºF (20-21 ºC), the seeds will germinate in 1-2 weeks. Be sure to keep the young plants evenly moist. To propagate oxeye sunflowers vegetatively, take cuttings from non-flowering shoots in the summer or divide the clumps while they are dormant. New plants can be potted up in the fall and set out in the spring.