Helianthus Ox Eye Sunflower - Ontario Seed Company

Helianthus helianthoides

Native of Canada

Ox Eye Sunflower is often referred to as False Sunflower or Smooth Ox Eye Sunflower. Native to the eastern half of North America, this spreading multi- branched plant is an early flowering wildflower loaded with single and double yellow flowers 5-7.5 cm (2-3") wide from July through September. Enjoys full morning sun and partial afternoon shade and will tolerate a wide range of soils and soil moisture levels. Mature plants reach 60-120 cm (2-4') garden height. Ox Eye sunflower is a short lived perennial that is very pest and disease resistant and makes a great cut flower. Flowers attract pollinators and the seed is consumed by birds and small mammals. In garden situations, divide the clumps every 3-4 years if plants become crowded. Seed supply is limited. Perennial hardy to Zone 3.

How to Grow

Start seed indoors in a soil-less mix anytime from February through March. Germination is somewhat irregular and seeds need light for germination so just press seed into the growing medium. Keep the seed starting medium at 18 C (65 F) during the 10-18 day germination period. After germination, grow on under lights then harden off and transplant to a partly sunny spot in the garden. Direct garden sow in early spring or late fall for a second year bloom. Fall seeding allows any dormant seed to be naturally stratified over the winter. Plants generally do not flower until the second growing season when grown from seed.

Perennial.

Approx. 50 seeds/pkt.