Types of Perennial Sunflowers

Maximilian's Sunflower

• One of the tallest perennial sunflowers available to home gardeners is Maximilian's sunflower Helianthus maximiliani. This native wildflower grows 6 to 7 feet tall, although it can grow taller or shorter depending on soil conditions and available moisture. The narrow plants have 3-inch, bright-yellow flowers all along the top third of the stems in mid to late summer.

Flore-Pleno

• Flore-pleno H. multiflorus "Flore-pleno" is a hybrid sunflower bred specifically for home gardens. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall with a similar width and is covered in double, golden-yellow flowers all summer. Hummingbirds, other birds and butterflies are all attracted to the showy flowers. Unlike many sunflowers, Flore-pleno flowers well in partial shade. It's pest and disease free and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4 through 10.

Thin-Leaved Sunflowers

• Adaptable to different light and soil conditions, the thin-leafed sunflower H. decapetalus grows up to 5 feet tall in full sun or partial shade. The abundant flowers are bright yellow with a greenish central cone and are long lasting as cut flowers. When deadheaded, the plant puts out side branches with even more flowers. Thin-leaf sunflower is at its peak in late summer and early fall.

Swamp Sunflower

• Native to the East Coast, the swamp sunflower H. angustifolius has yellow flowers with dark centers. As the name implies, it tolerates moist soil, an unusual trait among sunflowers. It comes into bloom late in the season from late August until October. Swamp sunflower grows 5 to 7 feet tall.

Woodland Sunflower

• Native to the East Coast, the woodland sunflower H. divaricatus is another good choice for shady locations. As the name suggests, it grows naturally in wooded areas. Woodland sunflowers grow 3 to 5 feet tall and have solitary, clear-yellow flowers with long, tapering petals in midsummer. The leaves are very stiff and textured like sandpaper. It's a good sunflower for naturalized gardens that are partially shaded.