HOW TO GROW & CARE FOR HELIOPSIS IN YOUR GARDEN
Add late-season color to beds and borders with false sunflower, a low-maintenance flowering perennial
'Tuscan Sun' false sunflower. Photo: Proven Winners
False sunflower (Heliopsis) is a herbaceous perennial named for the cheerful blooms that resemble true sunflowers (Helianthus). Native to eastern and central regions of the US and Canada, this short-lived perennial can be found growing in open woodlands, meadows, prairies, and fields. Commonly called false sunflower or smooth oxeye, this tenacious plant is tolerant of a wide range of soils, is cold hardy, heat and drought tolerant, and is virtually carefree once established.
This attractive ornamental plant is versatile in beds and borders, with smaller varieties suited to containers. Plants bloom for weeks in summer and fall, attracting hummingbirds and insect pollinators, including bees and butterflies. “Smooth oxeye is considered one of the best hardy plants for a wildflower garden border,” say the experts at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Here’s how to plant, grow and use heliopsis in your yard.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Pictures | Frequently Asked Questions | Landscaping Ideas
On this page:
- BASICS
- HOW TO PLANT FALSE SUNFLOWER
- FALSE SUNFLOWER CARE
- FALSE SUNFLOWER VARIETIES
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- DESIGN IDEAS
FALSE SUNFLOWER BASICS
Botanical name:
Heliopsis helianthoides
Common names:
False sunflower, oxeye, oxeye sunflower, smooth oxeye, eastern sunflower-everlasting, early sunflower, eastern ox-eye
Plant type:
Herbaceous perennial
Zones:
3-9
Exposure:
Full sun to part sun
Habit:
Upright clumping habit
Height/Spread:
3 to 6 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide; dwarf varieties are smaller
Bloom time:
Mid-summer to fall
Flowers:
Single, semi-double, or double daisy-like blooms 1 to 3 inches across occur in colors of yellow, gold, yellow-orange, orange, and bicolor. The central cone can be brown, orange, or yellow.
Foliage:
Lance-shaped or triangular leaves have serrated edges, occurring in colors of green, purple, or white and green variegation.
Toxicity:
Heliopsis is not considered toxic to humans, pets, or livestock. Ingestion of any non-edible plant may cause mild digestive upset.
“‘Bit of Honey’ is a beautiful variegated version of Heliopsis. You can see here it’s got the white leaves with the beautiful green veining, and then these beautiful golden double petaled blooms that contrast really beautifully there with that nice bright variegated foliage,” says Heidi Grasman of Garden Crossings.
HOW TO PLANT FALSE SUNFLOWER
When to plant:
Heliopsis can be planted from seeds or starts. Plant during cooler months in spring or fall. In spring, wait until all danger of frost is past in your area. In fall, plant at least 6 weeks before the average first frost in your region to allow roots to become established.
Where to plant:
Choose a site with well-drained soil and full summer sun to light shade. Too much shade can result in fewer flowers and lankier growth that may cause plants to flop. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
How to plant:
From starts: Loosen soil in the planting area and lightly amend with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place plant in the hole, and fill with soil. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil. Water well and keep soil evenly moist until plants are established. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
From seed: False sunflower can be started from seed in early spring or late summer. Loosen soil in the planting area and lightly amend with organic matter as needed to improve drainage. Scatter seeds and cover with 1/4-1/2 inch of soil. Germination takes 14 to 21 days. Seeds can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last frost date in your area. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
FALSE SUNFLOWER CARE
'Rays for Days' false sunflower. Photo: Proven Winners
Soil:
Heliopsis can tolerate a range of soil conditions including rock, clay, and sand, but performs best in average, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.5-7.0. Overly rich soil can cause result in leggy growth, causing plants to flop.
Amendments & fertilizer:
When planted in average soil, this native perennial needs little or no supplemental fertilizer. If soil is poor, amend with organic matter to provide nutrients, or apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring. Over-fertilizing can result in leggy growth because excess nitrogen promotes leafy growth over flowers.
Watering:
Heliopsis performs best with moderate water. Plants can tolerate drought once established. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Water plants early in the day, and around the base to prevent powdery mildew.
Pruning:
In early spring, cut back dead growth from the previous season before new growth emerges. In late spring, plants can be cut back by one-third to encourage a compact habit and more branching, resulting in more flowers and plants that are less prone to flopping. This will delay bloom time by a couple of weeks. Deadhead spent blooms to stimulate new flower buds and prolong bloom time. When plants are finished blooming, they can be cut back to several inches above the ground, or left to provide food for wildlife.
Support:
Taller varieties may benefit from staking or other support. If planted in too much shade or over-fertilized, plants are more prone to flopping and may require support.
Dividing:
False sunflower has a clump-forming habit. Plants can be divided every few years in spring or fall to extend the life of plants, increase vigor, and prevent clumps from dying out in the center.
Pests and diseases:
Heliopsis is resilient to most pests and diseases. Pests include aphids, while diseases include powdery mildew, rust, or stem rot.
FALSE SUNFLOWER VARIETIES
Photo: Proven Winners
‘Tuscan Sun’ — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 12 to 36 inches tall, 20 to 24 inches wide
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
‘Tuscan Sun’ is grown for the bright golden yellow rays, lush dark green foliage, and exceptionally long bloom time. Use in containers, mass plantings, and as a filler towards the front of a mixed border.
“This beautiful and carefree native cultivar offers a more compact habit and good disease resistance compare to other varieties of Heliopsis,” say the experts at Proven Winners Perennials.
Photo: Proven Winners
‘Touch of Blush’ — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones: 4-9
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 18 to 20 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
This unique variety is named for the pink tones that occur on the new leaf growth in spring. The stunning foliage is variegated, with white coloring and dark green veining. Semi-double yellow flowers have brown centers and layers of overlapping petals. Use as a captivating focal point in a container or bed.
Photo: Proven Winners
‘Rays for Days’ — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 24 to 26 inches tall, 18 to 20 inches wide
Bloom Time: Summer
‘Rays for Days’ produces long-lasting double yellow zinnia-like flowers on robust stems, making it a good cut flower. Plants are heat tolerant and disease-resistant.
“An incredibly dense, well-rounded selection perfect for brightening up the middle of the border,” say the experts at Proven Winners Perennials.
Photo: Proven Winners
Athena Gold™ — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
The vibrant golden yellow flowers of Athena Gold™ are packed with petals, helping to extend the life of individual blooms. Well-branched plants have a dense compact habit, producing glossy dark green leaves that perfectly set off the gorgeous flowers. Use in a mass planting or butterfly garden.
Photo: Proven Winners
'Bit of Honey' — Buy now from Proven Winners
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones: 4-9
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 24 to 28 inches tall, 26 to 30 inches wide
Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall
This variegated variety produces lance-shaped leaves with white coloring accentuated by deep green veining. Large semi-double flowers 3 to 3-1/2 inches wide have multiple rows of golden yellow petals that surround the dark gold cones. Plant towards the middle of a mixed border to break up neutral areas of green, or as a showy focal point in a container on a sunny deck or patio.
Photo: Alex Manders / Shutterstock
‘Bleeding Hearts'
Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra hybrid
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Upright clumping habit
Height/Spread: 36 to 40 inches tall and wide
Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
‘Bleeding Hearts’ is a stunning variety with black stems, purple-tinged dark green foliage and fiery red flowers that change to different shades of orange as they age for a multi-hued effect. Plants have an exceptionally long bloom time, from July until frost. Plant this taller variety towards the back of a border, in a cutting bed or butterfly garden.
Photo: Janet Loughrey
‘Burning Hearts’
Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Upright clumping habit
Height/Spread: 36 to 48 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide
Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
This showy variety produces smoky purple leaves, purple stems and bicolored flowers for eye-popping contrast. The single petaled blooms are bright golden yellow with a vivid orange-red eye that surrounds the brown cones. Plant in a native garden, towards the back of a cottage-style border, or mass in the landscape.
“The flowers are highly attractive to birds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators,” say the experts at Missouri Botanical Garden.
Photo: Alex Manders / Shutterstock
‘Summer Sun’ (syn. 'Sommersonne')
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 36 inches tall, 24 to 30 inches wide
Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
‘Summer Sun’ produces glossy green triangular leaves and semi-double golden yellow flowers that occur for weeks during summer. The strong upright stems and long-lasting blooms make this a great cut flower. Plants are exceptionally heat-tolerant, making them suitable for southern climates. Plant in a cutting garden or cottage-style border.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you cut back Heliopsis in the fall?
Heliopsis can be cut back to several inches tall after plants have finished blooming, or left for songbirds and other wildlife, which will eat the seeds.
Do false sunflowers come back every year?
False sunflower is a hardy perennial that comes back from year to year. Plants may be short-lived, lasting 5 years or so. To extend plant life, divide plants every 2 to 3 years or allow to self-sow.
Will false sunflowers grow in shade?
Heliopsis prefers at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Too little sun will result in fewer flowers or lanky growth.
Do false sunflowers spread or reseed?
False sunflower has a clumping habit and is not prone to rampant spreading. Plants can reseed, but are not considered invasive. To control spreading, deadhead spent flowers and remove seedlings where they are unwanted.
Is Heliopsis deer resistant?
False sunflower is considered deer-resistant due to the texture of the leaves and bitter taste. Deer may graze on almost any plant if other food sources are scarce.
Can false sunflowers grow in containers?
Smaller varieties can successfully be grown in containers. Plant in a pot at least 12 inches tall and wide to accommodate the root ball, use potting mix rather than garden soil, and place pots in full sun. Plants in containers will need more water than those in the ground.
What's the difference between false sunflowers and true sunflowers?
False sunflowers belong to the genus Heliopsis, while true sunflowers are in the genus Helianthus, which comprises 70 species. Both are classified in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). False sunflower blooms earlier and has a more compact habit. True sunflowers include annual common sunflower (H. annuus) as well as perennial types.
FALSE SUNFLOWER LANDSCAPING TIPS
There are many ways to use false sunflowers in your landscape. Here’s how:
For borders and landscapes:
Include Heliopsis in a mixed border, cutting garden, native landscape, cottage garden, rain garden, or mass planting.
For slopes and hillsides:
Plant along a slope for erosion control because the dense root system helps hold soil in place while providing a long season of color.
For containers:
Smaller varieties can be planted in pots as a focal point along a pathway, or displayed on a sunny patio or deck.
- Naturalize in a native landscape alongside other plants that are indigenous to your region.
- Create a cottage-style border and plant alongside other cottage garden favorites such as bee balm, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, cosmos, Shasta daisy, yarrow and zinnia.
- Include in a pollinator garden to offer late-season nectar with aster, catmint, goldenrod, Joe Pye weed, milkweed, and salvia to attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.
- Mass false sunflower in a bed for a dazzling, easy-care display.
- Plant towards the middle or back of a mixed border alongside trees, shrubs and other perennials for a layered tapestry.
- Include in a rain garden with other plants that prefer moderate to high moisture such as aster, bee balm, elderberry, goldenrod, phlox, rose mallow, and sweetspire.
- Plant a smaller variety in a decorative container and display near a sunny deck or patio to enjoy weeks of continuous late-season color.
- Include false sunflower in a cutting garden alongside aster, coneflower, dahlia, Shasta daisy, yarrow and zinnias for stunning cut bouquets.
Companion plants: Choose companion plants that thrive in similar growing conditions of full sun and average, well-drained soil. Good companions include: agastache, aster, beebalm, black-eyed Susan, blanket flower, catmint, coreopsis, Joe Pye weed, liatris, ornamental grasses, purple coneflower, Russian sage, salvia, sedum, veronica, and yarrow.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janet Loughrey is a veteran garden writer and photographer with over 25 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Garden Design, Better Homes and Gardens, and Sunset. A former Master Gardener, she brings hands-on expertise from gardening in a wide range of climates, from upstate New York to the Pacific Northwest.
RELATED:
Sunflower Care & Planting
21 Easiest Flowers for Beginners
16 Surprisingly Drought-Tolerant Plants
20+ Cottage Garden Plants & Flowers
