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Woodland Sunflower

Helianthus divaricatus

A valuable shade-tolerant sunflower that brightens woodland edges and dry slopes with bright yellow daisy-like blooms throughout late summer. Spreads by rhizome to form open colonies, providing crucial late-season nectar for native bees and seeds for songbirds.

Family

Asteraceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2–6 ft

Spacing

1–3 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

dry

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

June, July, August, September

Bloom colors

yellow

Wildlife value

butterflies, songbirds, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~58 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

naturalizing

Native states

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV