Perennial Sunflower
Helianthus hybrids
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
Sunflowers are usually tall annual or perennial plants that in some species can grow to a height of 3m or more. Perennial sunflowers have protein and oil-rich seeds. Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed. The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system.
Helianthus hybrids is a PERENNIAL growing to 3.6 m (11ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 3.6
Where it is found
Cold to semi-arid regions.
Origin: hybrid. All Helianthus species are native to North America except for three species in South America.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Origin: hybrid. All Helianthus species are native to North America except for three species in South America.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: protein-oil (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world). Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed. The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 2
Various medicinal qualities depending on the species.
Other
Rating: 2
See individual species. Some sunflowers are a good source of biomass. The tubers are used in industry to make alcohol etc. The alcohol fermented from the tubers is said to be of better quality than that from sugar beets. Can be grown as a temporary summer screen. Ornamental. A food plants for the larvae of many lepidopterans.
Biomass: Provides a large quantity of plant material that can be converted into fuel etc.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.
Under Development: Plant breeders are actively working to domesticate these plants for cultivation, but they are not yet commercially available as crops. Examples include most of the perennial cereal grains.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.
Under Development: Plant breeders are actively working to domesticate these plants for cultivation, but they are not yet commercially available as crops. Examples include most of the perennial cereal grains.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Climate: boreal to warm temperate. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: under development. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation). Perennial crops are being developed for their oil-seed. The Land Institute see them as part of a perennial polyculture system. Several perennial sunflowers are being worked with including prairie natives handling boreal to warm temperate semi-arid conditions: Helianthus maximliani (Maximilian sunflower), Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke), Helianthus pauciflorus (Stiff sunflower). Less tolerant of boreal conditions but good on poor soils is Helianthus cusickii ( Cusick's sunflower).
Propagating it: See individual species.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Perennial sunflower species are not as common in garden use due to their tendency to spread rapidly and become invasive.
Its other names
Local names
Helianthus hybrids, Helianthus species, Helianthus SPP
Synonyms
Many. See individual species.