Woodland Sunflower

Helianthus divaricatus

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.