Thinleaf sunflower
Helianthus decapetalus

Family: Compositae

What it is like

Helianthus decapetalus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.2 m (4ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. 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 and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Open woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, partially shaded areas along rivers, meadows, and thickets. Widespread in beech, maple, and red oak forests, especially at borders and openings.

Native to the Eastern and Central United States and Canada, from New Brunswick west to Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ontario, south as far as Georgia and Louisiana.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

USA

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Cut Flowers or Dried Flowers. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

An attractive upright rhizomatous perennial wildflower. Prefers partial sun or dappled sunlight, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy soil. Like other perennial sunflowers, this species may spread aggressively in some situations. Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length .

Propagating it:

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 2-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

This species may spread aggressively in some situations.

Its other names

Local names

Ten petaled sunflower, thinleaf sunflower, thin-leaved sunflower

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.