This herbaceous perennial graces fall landscapes with its tall, leaf-lined stems and numerous, 3” flowers with yellow rays and dark yellow centers from August to November, making it an important source of late season nourishment. It's distinguishable from other sunflowers by its unbranched stems and leaves covered with dense, white hairs and by its long, narrow leaves that fold inward and bend downward to create an arch. It thrives in full sun and a wide range of dry or medium-moisture soils. Overly fertile soils may produce lush growth and floppier stems. It tolerates drought and has been used to help with soil erosion, especially on slopes. Like other sunflowers, it has high wildlife value and attracts many pollinators, including monarchs. Maximilian sunflower spreads by rhizomes to form colonies, which makes it perfect for larger perennial gardens and wildflower meadows. For a shorter, bushier plant with more blooms, pinch back several times early in the season. Cut flowers early and regularly for long-lasting flower arrangements.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Reaches 3-10’ tall and 3-4’ wide.
 
Requires full sun.
 
Prefers dry to average clay, sandy, or loamy soils. Fertile soil results in weak stems.
 
Wildlife Value:
Sunflowers are a keystone species, in part because they host 76 species of Lepidoptera larvae. They also support 12 specialist pollinators and are visited by long- and short-tongued bees, butterflies, and moths for nectar and pollen. Birds and squirrels eat the seeds. Provides excellent cover for wildlife. Deer tend to avoid.
 
Medicinal, Edible and Other Uses:
Pioneers used blossoms in baths to soothe arthritis pain and planted them near their home to repel mosquitoes.