Plant Min Zone: 4a
Plant Max Zone: 9a
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Average
Soil Quality: Average
Bloom Season: Late Summer, Fall
Flower Color: Yellow, Orangish Yellow, Brown-Beige
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Green, Yellowish Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green, Yellowish Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green, Yellowish Green
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium
Humidity Tolerance: Medium, High
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Rocky Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 5' - 8'
Width: 2' - 3'
Growth Rate: Medium, Fast
Service Life: Long: 5-10 years
Maintenance Need: Medium
Spreading Potential: Medium
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Perennial to Ground in Early Winter After Hard Freezes: Some Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5, Medium Grouping of 5-10, Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure, East Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Resistant to Rabbits
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Long Lasting Fall Color, Fine Texture, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Erosion Control
Possible Pest Problems: Foliage Disease, Caterpillars, Beetles
Plant Limitations: May Needs Staking
Willow-Leaved Sunflower is a herbaceous perennial with very fine textured leaves and golden sunflowers native to the central United States, primarily in the Great Plains and Ozark Plateau. Extremely fine textured leaves are a bright green and resemble Amsonia Hubrichtii. Upon close inspection, the foliage is quite a bit longer and sways in the breeze more readily. Mature plants have multiple and branched stems from the ground creating a nice bush like effect. This alone could be a main reason to grow this plant. In late summer, golden flowers emerge at the top of the plant covering the foliage for about 4 to 6 weeks. As with any plant in the Sunflower family, pollinators go crazy over the flowers. Willow-leaf sunflower thrives in most garden soils except extremely wet or extremely dry ones but prefers rocky outcrops with heavy soil. Full sun is needed to avoid possible floppiness, even then, some staking but be required if strong winds whip the tall flowering stalks. The only maintenance is at some point in the winter trim back to the ground. Use in the landscape as a specimen plant or a small grouping where are you really went to attract attention. Combine with any course textured plant or just about any other flower except other late blooming gold flowers. Several new cultivars exist with different shades of flowers and shorter, more compact growth heights.