What Are the Benefits of Growing Perennial Sunflowers?
Perennial sunflowers offer several benefits for gardeners. They are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, meaning you can enjoy their beauty with little effort. Additionally, these flowers will come back year after year, providing long-lasting color and beauty in the garden or patio. Finally, they are usually drought tolerant, making them perfect for hot summer days.
The Difference Between Annual and Sunflowers
Most people think sunflowers are only annual plants that die at the end of the season and must be replanted yearly. However, there are actually both annual and perennial sunflower varieties available. Here’s a quick look at a few differences between these two types of sunflowers.
Annual sunflowers:
Grow quickly and bloom profusely for a brief time, usually one season in colder climates.Require full sun.Include giant varieties.
Perennial sunflowers:
Slower to mature but will come back each year in the right growing conditions.They prefer full sun but will also usually do well in partial shade.Typically smaller varieties, but some, like the maximilian sunflower, grow very tall.
Now that we’ve learned a little more about sunflower types, let’s take a look at the six best perennial sunflowers for the garden.
1. Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)
Hardiness zones: 5 to 10 Bloom seasons: fall Sunlight needs: full to partial sun Plant size: 5-8 feet tall Bloom size: 2-3 inches across The late-blooming swamp sunflower is a pretty sight in fall gardens. Like most perennial sunflowers, a swamp sunflower looks like a golden wildflower gracing the garden with its cheery warmth. In addition, the foliage of this plant is light green and lance-shaped. The blooms appear in yellow and orange shades, with a single flower reaching up to three inches across. Swamp sunflowers are tolerant of wetter (but not soggy) soils, which makes them perfect for planting around water features. In addition, swamp sunflowers attract pollinators like butterflies, and they’re loved by many songbirds. As this perennial sunflower grows 5-8 feet tall (or more!), this plant will need staking as it matures to keep it upright.
2. Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Hardiness zones: 8 to 10 Bloom seasons: spring through fall Sunlight needs: full sun Plant size: 1-3 feet tall Bloom size: 2-4 inches across Beach sunflowers are perfect for coastal gardens, thanks to their salt tolerance. These perennial sunflowers are also drought-tolerant and bloom from spring through fall. Beach sunflowers look lovely when planted in mass along pathways and borders and make great container plants. This sunflower’s foliage is a light green color and spreads via runners that trail along the ground. However, it doesn’t grow anywhere near as tall as the swamp sunflower. So this 1-3 foot tall plant with bright yellow blooms is ideal for planting where it can cascade down a wall, trellis, or planter.
3. Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximilian)
Hardiness zones: 4 to 9 Bloom seasons: summer through fall Sunlight needs: full sun Plant size: 5-10 feet tall Bloom size: 2-4 inches across If you’re looking to make a big garden statement, maximilian sunflowers are hard to beat. This tall plant can reach heights of eight feet or so, making it one of the largest perennial sunflowers available. The foliage is light green with hairy leaves and stems, while the flowers are bright yellow with brown centers. Maximilian sunflowers bloom in late summer and can last until fall, providing weeks of bright color in the garden. In addition, they attract bees and butterflies, as well as birds who love to feed on the seeds. Remember that though these perennial sunflowers grow very tall and can spread 2-4 feet, maximilian sunflowers don’t have the enormous flower heads of annual sunflowers. Instead, these plants will look like towering, beautiful wildflowers swaying in the breeze.
4. Ashy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis)
Hardiness zones: 4 to 9 Bloom seasons: summer to fall Sunlight needs: full sun Plant size: 2-4 feet tall Bloom size: 2-4 inches across Ashy sunflowers are an easy-to-grow perennial that’s perfect for smaller gardens. This little plant only grows 2-4 feet tall and is ideal for edging, mass plantings, or containers. The foliage is light green with hairy stems and leaves, and the 4-inch flowers are bright yellow with golden centers. The name ashy sunflower comes from the ashy-grey tint to their leaves, caused by the look of its tiny hairs. Ashy sunflowers bloom in late summer and can last until fall. This hardy perennial is drought-tolerant and tolerates most soils, though it prefers a well-drained spot in full sun. In addition, ashy sunflowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and they’re also a favorite with birds because of their edible seeds. Though these plants are rather small, they still make a big impact with their cheery blooms. Plant them in sunny garden beds and enjoy their beautiful colors for weeks.
5. Western Sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis)
Hardiness zones: 3-9 Bloom seasons: mid-summer through fall Sunlight needs: full sun Plant size: 2-5 feet tall Bloom size: 2-3 inches across Western sunflowers are drought-tolerant and native to the western United States. So if you’ve got dry soil and climate, this perennial sunflower is for you! Western sunflower has bright yellow daisy-like blooms that appear in late summer and last until fall. In addition, the foliage is a medium green color on plants with most basal leaves. A basal leaf grows low to the ground, so the stems of western sunflowers only have leaves near the bottom. Western sunflowers are low-maintenance plants that prefer a sunny spot with well-drained soil. They can reach heights of up to five feet and spread 2-3 feet, so make sure to give them plenty of room. And they will dazzle you and your neighbors with their sunny blooms mid-summer through fall.
6. Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
Hardiness zones: 3-9 Bloom seasons: late summer through fall Sunlight needs: full sun to partial sun Plant size: 6-10 feet tall Bloom size: 2-4 inches across Jerusalem artichokes or sunchokes are unique and interesting perennial sunflowers with edible tubers. The name Jerusalem artichoke comes from the artichoke-like taste of their non-starchy tubers. So gardeners often grow these lovely sunflowers as perennial vegetables too! And the birds love them for their seeds. This tall plant can reach up to ten feet, and sports blooms like yellow daisies that measure 2-4 inches across. The foliage is a deep green with thick leaves and lots of branches, giving this sunflower plant a unique texture. Jerusalem artichokes are drought-tolerant perennials that thrive in a wide range of soils and full sun. They bloom from mid-summer through fall, attract lots of pollinators, and make excellent-cut flowers. When grown as vegetables, the tubers of Jerusalem artichokes can be harvested in late fall. So plant this attractive sunflower in your garden to have a beautiful display of blooms with an edible bonus!
The Perfect Space for Perennial Sunflowers Depends on Size and Season
Perennial sunflowers are a fantastic choice for gardens of differing sizes and seasons of interest. Some of these plants bloom only late in the growing season, while others bloom from spring through fall. And though many perennial sunflowers are small plants, some of them will grow taller than you! Not only will they come back next year, but perennial sunflowers also provide a stunning display of color and beauty. And sometimes a crop of edible tubers, too!
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