✅ Hardy sunflower: these 10 species are perennial

Hardy Sunflowers

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Native to North America, the brightly blooming sunflower (Helianthus) has its high season from late summer until the first frost. It can easily grow up to four meters high and set enchanting accents in the autumn garden. Mostly, however, the annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is cultivated. These distinctive daisy family (Asteraceae) are also available as perennials. They are hardy, perennial and available in different types. However, care and requirements hardly differ from the annual varieties.

Hardy Sunflowers

Because of their size, the sunflowers are affectionately nicknamed "zaungucker". Even from a distance, their "faces" are conspicuous, as they compete with the sun. The cultivation of annual sunflowers is widespread, which then end their existence with the first frost. For several years now, countless types of hardy, perennial sunflowers have also found their way into gardens. In terms of care, there are hardly any differences to the Helianthus annuus.

However, the flowers of perennial sunflowers are smaller compared to annuals. This mainly affects the corona and tubular florets in the center of the flower head. The well-known sunflower seeds are not formed either. However, countless flowers appear on a plant. They can be single or double and grow on tautly erect stems. With sunflowers, which are perennial, there are also many varieties that have a rather squat growth. The roots can form meter-long runners, which can sometimes be found far from the mother plant. Other species, on the other hand, grow into large clumps.

tip: The perennial sunflowers tend to become rampant. To prevent uncontrolled spread, a root barrier should therefore be introduced before planting.

winter protection

As a rule, these sunflowers are hardy and also very easy to care for. They tolerate occasional dry spells quite well. The only thing that should be done in spring is an initial fertilization with mature compost. After that, no further fertilizers are required. Under no circumstances should you fertilize after September. Otherwise there is a risk that the plants will not survive the winter. It is also recommended to divide larger perennials after three to four years in spring or autumn. Faded flowers should always be removed to ensure new growth.

In some species, the rhizomes, storage organs that are responsible for overwintering, lie just below the surface of the earth. A light winter protection is in order here:

Cut down to the ground after flowering
Apply layer of mature compost or foliage
Height about 3 to 5 cm
Remove foliage in spring
Compost serves as a starter fertilizer

Only Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke) is extremely hardy and does not need any additional winter protection.
There are also more sensitive varieties of sunflowers, which are overwintered frost-free indoors. In addition

dig up shrubs
place in a pot with garden soil
overwinter at 5 °C
water occasionally

tip: Propagation can be done by seeds, but better by dividing the rootstocks or runners. Water well after replanting.

Large variety of varieties

Through selection and breeding over centuries, a large variety of hardy and perennial sunflowers has emerged. They are mostly used as background planting in beds for summer flowers or perennials, or in cottage gardens and wild gardens. In addition, the flowers are also very suitable for vase cutting and as bee pasture.
Below is a brief overview:

Eyed Perennial Sunflower

Helianthus atrorubens
single, yellow flowers with a brown eye
bowl-shaped up to 10 cm in size
deep green foliage, ovate, acuminate, rough, finely hairy
Leaf edge sawn
reddish erect stems
upper end of the stem almost leafless
bushy growth
Growth height 150 to 180 cm
Growth width 70 to 100 cm
Flowering August to September
strongly spreading through long rhizomes
Cut back after flowering
hardy to -15 °C
Light winter protection recommended
sufficient mulch
Planting distance 80 cm
especially for natural gardens
good insect and bee pasture, also cut flower
Parent species for some hybrids

Giant Perennial Sunflower 'Giganteus'

Helianthus atrorubens "Giganteus"
single golden yellow flower
radial up to 10 cm in size
slightly sweet scented
dark green foliage, ovate, acuminate, leaf margin serrated
bushy, upright growth
Growth height 150 to 180 cm
Growth width 70 to 80 cm
Flowering period August to October
strong runner-forming, fast spreading
Root barrier advisable
Planting distance at least 75 cm
withstands drought for several days or weeks
dry, fresh, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil required
loamy-sandy soil preferred
very sensitive to waterlogging
full sun location
very frost hardy down to -35 °C
bee friendly
very good cut flower

Giant perennial sunflower 'Monarch'

Helianthus atrorubens 'Monarch'
very large, single flowers 10 cm and larger
plate-shaped deep golden yellow
Flowering period August to October
strong bushy growth
Growth height 160 to 180 cm
Growth width 70 to 100 cm
Planting distance 70 to 100 cm
erect stems
green foliage, broadly lanceolate, finely hairy
Leaf edge sawn
tolerates sun and partial shade
hardy to -20 °C
however winter protection advisable
clump-forming
Food source for bees and other insects
popular cut flower

Helianthus decapetalus 'Soleil d'or'

lemon-yellow, double flowers with a golden-yellow center
Ray florets protruding
are lighter than tubular flowers
Size up to 12 cm
Flowering period August to October
reminiscent of camellia blossoms
Growth height up to 170 cm
Growth width 70 to 100 cm
bushy, upright growth
Planting distance at least 80 cm
deep green foliage, ovate, acuminate, rough and finely hairy
Leaf edge sawn
rhizome-forming, but still slow-growing
Easy to care for and hardy down to -29 °C
excellent for background planting
loves nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
good cut flower

Helianthus decpetalus 'Meteor'

very old and robust variety
Flowers semi-double, plate-shaped
golden yellow, large tubular flowers
ruffled yellow flower center
even, outer, lemon-yellow ray petals
Size 5 to 10 cm
Flowering period August to October
dark green leaves, oval, acuminate, rough and entire
bushy, upright growth
Growth height 160 to 180 cm
Growth width 60 to 80 cm
Planting distance 70 to 100 cm
forms large clumps
hardy to -29 °C
excellent food source for bees
suitable for cutting vases
originated from breeding with Helianthus decpetalus "Soleil d'or"

Hairy Sunflower

Helianthus mollis
radiating, lemon-yellow flowers
Flower size 5 to 10 cm
lightly scented
Flowering period August to October
Growth height 80 to 100 cm
Growth width 60 to 80 cm
Planting distance 70 cm
erect stems
forms many shoots
Leaves and stems hirsute
deep green foliage, ovate, acuminate, coarse and rough
Leaf margin slightly serrate
forms clumps
not rampant
perennial and hardy to -25 °C
light winter protection advisable
complete pruning in autumn after flowering
loves sunny and dry locations
moist, well drained and fresh soil required
good cut flower

Small-flowered sunflower

Helianthus microcephalus "Lemon Queen"
single, radial, lemon-yellow flowers
Center of flower yellowish-brown
Size 5 to 10 cm
plentiful
Flowering period August to September
Growth height 170 to 200 cm
Growth width 70 to 100 cm
Planting distance at least 80 cm
bushy, upright growth
tall, stable, leafy shoots
deep green foliage, broadly lanceolate, finely hairy and rough
Leaf edge sawn
forms large clumps
winterproof down to -17 °C
Winter protection against frost and winter sun required
loves full sun
nutrient-rich, permeable and fresh soil necessary
Use as a background plant
suitable for cutting vases
excellent bee pasture

Willow-leaved Sunflower

Helianthus salicifolius
single radial yellow flowers
Flower size less than 5 cm
Flowering time September to November
Growth height 250 to 300 cm
Growth width 100 to 200 cm
Planting distance at least 100 to 120 cm
erect, stable and leafy stems
deep green foliage
narrow, long leaves, pointed, entire and coarse
fast growing
forms weak creeping rhizomes
loves sun
deep, well-drained, dry and humus-rich soil is required
prefers loamy-sandy soil
winterproof down to - 35 degrees
hardly any maintenance needed
only complete pruning in autumn
good cut flower
excellent as bee pasture
Use as a solitary plant, especially in the background of water basins

So far, however, this sunflower is hardly represented in gardens.

Jerusalem Artichoke

Helianthus tuberosus
also known as "Indian tuber".
single, cupped, bright yellow flowers
Center of flower colored brown
Flower size 5 to 10 cm
Flowering time September to November
dense growing
Growth height 250 to 300 cm
Growth width 20 to 50 cm
Planting distance 80 to 100 cm
taut, erect stems
proliferating
Root barrier advisable
deep green foliage, oval and pointed
potato-like, oblong, edible tubers
Harvest as a winter vegetable
Use: for puree, cooked as potatoes, raw as a salad
nutty to sweet taste
Tubers can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time
loves sun to partial shade
at least four hours of sun necessary
evenly moist soil required
Propagation by tubers
very good bee pasture
very robust and hardy down to -30 °C
no winter protection required
large solitary plant, particularly good as a background plant

tip: You should always plant the Indian tuber spade-deep. Otherwise it can easily happen that the tubers appear on the surface of the earth in autumn.

Helianthus giganteus 'Sheila's Sunshine'

late variety
single light cream yellow flowers
Flower center dark yellow
Flowering September to November
luxuriantly growing, but not rampant
forming strong clumps over the years
Growth height 250 to 300 cm
Growth width 100 to 200 cm
Planting distance at least 100 cm
very vital
hardy to -35 °C
good stability
good food source for bees
excellent cut flower

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Garden plants

Hardy sunflower: these 10 species are perennial

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