Heliopsis helianthoides 'Prairie Sunset' Common Name: false sunflower Zone: 3 to 9 Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Asteraceae Missouri Native: No Native Range: None Height: 3 to 5 feet Spread: 2 to 3 feet Bloom Time: June - September Bloom Color: Yellow rays with maroon basal petal ring Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium wet Maintenance: Low Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates drought, but does best if regularly watered. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor, infertile ones. Tolerates some light shade, but plants are less vigorous and stems need support in heavier shade. Remove spent flowers to extend bloom season. Plant stems may be cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 in late May to reduce overall plant height.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

‘Prairie Sunset’ is an oxeye cultivar that is noted for its purple stems, purple-veined foliage and reddish-maroon basal petal ring. Typically grows 3-5’ tall. Features daisy-like flowers with yellow rays and darker yellow-brown center disks. Maroon tinting at the base of the ray flowers forms a distinctive ring around the center disk. Flowers bloom from early summer to early fall atop stiff stems that seldom need staking. Serrate, ovate, dark green leaves (to 5” long) have purple veining. Heliopsis is both similar in appearance to and closely related to Helianthus, the true sunflower, and is sometimes commonly called false sunflower. Good fresh cut flower.