Helianthus microcephalus

Common Names

Small-Headed Sunflower, Woodland Sunflower, Small Woodland Sunflower, Small Wood Sunflower, Sunflower

Summary

Small-headed Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus) is a perennial native to the eastern United States and forms upright, clump-forming growth with slender branched stems and lance-shaped leaves, flower heads are small (about 1–1.5 inches wide) with 5–8 yellow ray florets surrounding a yellow central disk, blooming from July to October, and plants reach about 4–6 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide, adding bright color to open woodlands, barrens, and roadside plantings while attracting pollinators, in cultivation it prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soils with average to moderately dry moisture, is drought-tolerant once established, and can tolerate a range of soils including nutrient-poor, propagation is by seed in spring or by division in autumn, with divisions every 3–4 years recommended to maintain vigor, and it can spread by rhizomes or reseeding, it suits cottage, native/wildflower, and border plantings, provides cut flowers, and supports wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and birds, maintenance includes deadheading to encourage rebloom and removing diseased or yellowing leaves, while watching for slugs, snails, powdery mildew, and sclerotinia diseases, and it is hardy in USDA zones 4–8

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-6 feet

Spread

24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-8.0

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Reaches 1.5–2.5 m in 1–2 years

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, birds, other pollinators