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Helianthus hirsutus

stiff-hair sunflower

Asteraceae Eastern and central North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Helianthus hirsutus, hairy or stiff-hair sunflower, is an upright, rhizomatous perennial of eastern and central North America, growing 2-6.5 feet (0.6-2 m) tall on stout, rough-hairy stems. The opposite leaves are lance-shaped to oval, 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, thick, and harshly rough on both surfaces, on short stalks. From mid to late summer it bears yellow daisy-like flower heads 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, each with 10-15 ray florets around a yellow central disk. The plant spreads by creeping rhizomes to form clumps and colonies, and it self-sows as well. H. hirsutus grows in dry open woods, woodland edges, prairies, glades, and roadsides on a range of soils. It tolerates heat, drought, and poor ground but can spread aggressively by rhizomes in good conditions, crowding smaller plants, and the tall stems may lean or need support on rich, shaded sites.

Native Range

Native to eastern and central North America, from Ontario and the eastern United States west to the Great Plains and south to Texas and Florida. It grows in dry open woods, woodland borders, prairies, glades, and roadsides.

Suggested Uses

Grown in prairie and meadow plantings, native and pollinator gardens, and naturalized areas and roadsides. It suits the back of borders and large, informal spaces where its spreading habit has room. The flowers support pollinators and the seeds feed birds.

How to Identify

Recognize it by yellow, daisy-like flower heads 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) wide with a yellow central disk, on tall, stout stems covered in stiff, rough hairs. The opposite, thick leaves are harshly rough to the touch on both sides. The very rough, hairy stems and leaves separate it from smoother perennial sunflowers such as Helianthus divaricatus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 6'6"

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer Fall

Yellow daisy-like flower heads open from mid to late summer, mainly July to September, in branched clusters at the stem tips. Bloom lasts several weeks and draws many bees and butterflies. Seed heads ripen into fall and feed seed-eating birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to light shade on average to dry, well-drained soil; it tolerates poor, rocky, and clay ground. Water during establishment, then rely mostly on rainfall, as the plant is drought-tolerant once rooted. It needs no fertilizer, and rich soil produces taller, floppier stems that may need support. The creeping rhizomes spread into colonies, so a confined bed or root barrier limits its reach where space is tight. Cutting stems back by a third in early summer keeps plants shorter and sturdier. Divide crowded clumps in spring or fall to renew them.

Pruning

Cut stems back by about a third in late spring or early summer to reduce height and flopping. Remove spent flower heads to limit self-sowing, or leave them to feed birds and self-seed. Cut the whole plant to the ground in late winter before new growth.