Downy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis)
hee-lee-AN-thus MAWL-iss

Deciduous Perennial in the Asteraceae Family

Helianthus mollis is a species of sunflower native to the central and eastern United States. It is a perennial plant that typically grows 3-4 feet tall. The leaves are downy or hairy, giving the plant a soft, velvety appearance, hence the common name "Downy Sunflower."

The flowers of Helianthus mollis are bright yellow and sunflower-like, growing up to 3-4 inches wide. The plant generally blooms in the late summer or early fall. The flowers have a distinctive drooping habit, unlike the more upright flowers of many annual sunflower varieties.

Helianthus mollis prefers full sun and well-drained soils. It is often found growing in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. The plant is drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor soil conditions. It is a common component of native wildflower gardens and prairie restorations in its native range.

In addition to its ornamental value, Helianthus mollis has some culinary and medicinal uses. The seeds can be eaten, and the plant has been used historically in Native American traditional medicine to treat various ailments. However, it should be noted that parts of the plant can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.

Overall, Helianthus mollis is a robust and attractive perennial sunflower that adds color and texture to natural garden settings. Its adaptability to various soil and climate conditions makes it a versatile choice for gardeners and landscapers in the central and eastern United States.

 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Moisture Tolerance Dry -
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Deciduous, Dry, Full Sun, Illinois Native, Native to North America, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Rabbit Resistant
Bloom Period August to September
Flower Color Yellow
 

Related Articles

Flowers of Downy Sunflower
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!