Common Tall Sunflower
Helianthus nuttallii
Family:
Aster family - Asteraceae
The common tall sunflower, reaching nearly 2 m tall, is adored by birds and insects alike, making it a cheery and ecological addition to gardens.
Meadow / Grassland garden
Pollinator garden
Adaptable
Supports wide variety of wildlife
Late season star
Details
Emerges
May, June
Seed collection
Flowers
August, September
Yellow
September, October
Height
150
-
180
cm
Lifecycle
Perennial
Width
-
cm
Habit
Forbs
Spreading
Herbaceous
Ecology
Supports
Songbirds
Bees
Providing
Pollen source
Seed/Berry source
Native songbirds, especially goldfinches, are partial to the small seeds. Bees and other pollinating insects are attracted to the flowers.
Habitat
Typically found in
prairie, disturbed areas
In the Garden
Growing Conditions
Moisture
Average
Moist
Wet
Light
Full sun
Soil
Average garden soil
Propagation
Via
Seeds
Division
Self-seeding
Sowing Recommendations
Spring planting
High or easy germination
Landscape
Use for:
Back of bed
Mass planting
Fall colour
Naturalization
Growing Tips
Ideal for covering large areas or as a back-of-bed plant.
Self-seeds and spreads, though is easily removed and easy to contain with 15 cm deep edging.
Suggested spacing is 60 cm.
Staking is recommended in windy areas.
Cold stratification in spring may improve germination rates.
Description
Managing to be simultaneously tall and dainty, with narrow leaves spaced along the tall stems and crowned with bright, yellow flowers, this cheery perennial grows to nearly 2 m tall and is a crowd favorite for birds and bees.
It will spread widely if left unchecked and is a durable, prolific plant making it ideal for naturalization projects and large spaces. It's also easily controlled and maintained (easy to grow as well), making it a wonderful addition to any urban garden.