Woodland Sunflower
Helianthus divaricatus
A golden haze of yellow sunflowers for dappled shade and woodland edges, late summer into fall. Colonizes freely and feeds goldfinches.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Sep 248 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Sep 258 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Sep 268 AM – 2 PM
The shade-adapted sunflower -- bright yellow fall flowers for dappled woodland edges where most perennials can't deliver color.
Woodland sunflower is the species to reach for when you want sunflower-scale impact in dappled shade or at a woodland edge. The bright yellow flowers are smaller than swamp sunflower but numerous, carried on spreading branches in late summer and fall, creating a golden haze that lights up a shady border more effectively than almost anything else. The rough, opposite leaves are sessile (without petioles), stalklessly clasping the stem, a handy field identification marker. It spreads by rhizome and colonizes freely, making it an ideal choice for naturalized areas, woodland margins, and slopes where a ground-binding colony is desirable. The seeds are important to goldfinches and other small birds through fall. One of the most adaptable native sunflowers available.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown woodland sunflower propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant woodland sunflower instead of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) in naturalized areas. Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Dry
- Mature size
- 3–6 ft · 24–36 in wide
- Bloom time
- July–September
- USDA zones
- 3–9
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America from Quebec and Ontario south to Florida and west to Kansas and Nebraska
Care notes for woodland sunflower.
Full sun to part shade in dry to average soil. More shade-tolerant than any other Helianthus species. Spreads freely by rhizome. plant it where you want a colony, or contain with edging. Cut back hard in early spring. No supplemental water needed once established.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside woodland sunflower.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Skyline Drive Package
This package celebrates the world renowned “Skyline Drive” by featuring native plant species encountered along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.
Piedmont Rain Garden Package
For homeowners with a yard that floods when it rains, this package is your solution! The Piedmont Swale Garden Package is comprised of flood tolerant species that will thrive in wet soils.
Exceptional Patio Garden Package
The Exceptional Patio Garden Package is a low maintenance, fool proof way to guarantee an endless color show for you and your guests to enjoy all patio season long.