Sunflower - Downy (Helianthus mollis)
Characteristic fine, soft, downy hairs cover the stems and leaves of Downy Sunflower, giving it a blueish-gray-green appearance. This classic composite Sunflower will bloom for many weeks in July-September. Its preference is for poor, drier soils, those with gravel, rock or clay, where it will form dense stands. But it will do well and actually grow taller in nutrient-rich medium soils, too. There is evidence that the root system has an allelopathic agent that prevents other plants from growing around it. Downy Sunflower is very aggressive - a quality some might look for, but in a small landscape setting it's a plant that could easily take over an entire area.
Sun Exposure - Full, Partial
Soil Moisture - Medium, Medium-Dry
Height - 5 feet
Bloom Time - August, September
Bloom Color - Yellow
Photo courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery.
