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Woodland Sunflower

Helianthus divaricatus

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Partial to Shade
Soil moisture
Medium to Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
Yellow

About Woodland Sunflower

Woodland Sunflower is a brilliant choice for adding a touch of sunshine to the partially shaded areas of your landscape. This resilient perennial typically grows 2 to 6 feet tall and is easily identified by its smooth, often glaucous stems and opposite, sessile (stalkless) leaves. From July through September, it produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that can light up a woodland edge or a shaded border. Native to the eastern half of North America, it is naturally found in rocky or sandy woods, thickets, and clearings. Woodland Sunflower is incredibly wildlife-friendly, supporting several species of specialist bees and providing high-quality nectar for butterflies, while its seeds are a favorite of songbirds and small mammals. It is easy to cultivate, thriving in partial shade to full sun and adapting to a variety of soil types, from medium to dry. Because it spreads via rhizomes, it can form attractive colonies over time, making it perfect for naturalizing in challenging, drier woodland sites.

Native range

Native to 32 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Helianthus divaricatus

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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