Helianthus maximiliani
Family: Asteraceae
Common name: SUNFLOWER
Native to: Missouri, Texas To Southern Canada
Sentiment: false riches
Plant
Type: perennial
Form: erect
Max height: 9.8 feet
Max width: 3.3 feet
Flower
secondary color present, yellow
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bird, specific butterfly species
Plant part consumed by birds: seeds
Exposure: sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: seed
flowers in fall
Soil type: well drained
USDA Zones: zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -30 to +30 °F
Water: moist, regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
Helianthus, or SUNFLOWER, a member of the Compositae (Aster) family with 85 species, is a wildlife favorite, as squirrels, birds, and butterflies all enjoy this plant. There are at least six species in cultivation and numerous cultivars. Helianthus angustifolius, laevigatus, maximiliani, and occidentalis are cultivated perennials that grow from seed. Helianthus annus, as the name suggests, is an annual.
Helianthus maximiliani, grows to nearly 10' tall x 3 1/2' wide in Zones 4-9, and is native to Missouri and Southern Canada to Texas. It is a perennial that prefers regular or moist watering, and well-drained soil. Grow it in full sun, or in a very bright sunny spot that may get light shade in late afternoon. It produces large yellow flowers in fall. Try it in a container? Maybe, if it is a really big one.
In addition to the butterflies that nectar on plants in the Compositae family, Helianthus attracts Lycaena editha, EDITH'S COPPER.
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
