Summer in the prairie can be a parade of yellow composite flowers! Often the first to show is the Heliopsis. It is possible to hike from a fairly moist, almost wetland situation to the driest south facing hillside and Early Sunflower can be found all along the way.

Heliopsis helianthoides, variously dubbed Early Sunflower, Sweet Smooth Oxeye, Heliopsis Sunflower, False Sunflower and other common names, is a member of the Aster family.

Unlike true sunflowers and most asters, both its disk and ray flowers are capable of producing seed. It blooms profusely through the summer on thin stems above the foliage, in the manner of Rudbeckia.

Easily grown and quick to develop, Heliopsis helianthoides long has been popular in Europe and many large-flowered cultivars have been developed using its western variety.  Early Sunflower is aggressive and therefore may not be suitable for small landscape plantings. It is a short-lived perennial.

Seeds / Packet: 500
Seeds / Ounce: 6,300

Dormant bare root plants ship each year during optimal transplanting seasons: Spring (April - May) and Fall (October).

Potted plants come in a tray of 38 plants and ship mid-May through mid-July. Click here if you prefer to mix/match up to 6 species in a tray.