Silverleaf Sunflower is a Texas native that pairs profuse golden blooms with striking silvery gray-green foliage in a combination so dramatic it's hard to believe comes from a single plant. Growing 8 feet tall with a 30-inch spread, this hardy cultivar thrives in USDA zones 8-11 and reaches maturity in just 60 days. The multi-branched structure creates abundance of flowers against a sea of luminous leaves, making it a visual spectacle in any full-sun garden. Its native Texas Gulf Coast heritage brings a bold, architectural presence to the landscape.
Full Sun
Moderate
8-11
96in H x 30in W
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High
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The real star here is the stunning contrast between the golden flowers and silvery foliage; the branching structure ensures blooms appear in profusion rather than a single stem. At 8 feet tall, this cultivar commands attention and grows with remarkable speed. If you leave seed heads on the plant, you'll create a bird buffet that keeps wildlife returning throughout fall and winter.
As a flowering ornamental, Silverleaf Sunflower serves as a landscape focal point and tall background plant in full-sun garden beds. The abundance of seed heads attracts birds and other wildlife, making it valuable for ecological gardens and wildlife corridors. Gardeners often grow it where it won't shade neighboring full-sun crops, positioning it as a vertical accent rather than a mass planting.
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Sow seeds directly in the garden at a rate of 2-3 seeds per foot. Thin seedlings to 12-inch spacing once they are established.
No pruning required; the multi-branched growth habit naturally creates abundant flowering. Deadheading is unnecessary if you want birds to harvest seed heads in fall.
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“Silverleaf Sunflower hails from the Texas Gulf Coast, a region better known for its petroleum industry than for the golden and silver treasures growing in its soil. This native cultivar represents the botanical wealth of a landscape often overlooked for its horticultural potential. The variety carries the legacy of its coastal Texas origins into gardens far beyond its native range.”