FlowerHeliopsis
Summer Sun Heliopsis
False Sunflower
Summer Sun Heliopsis brings the warmth of midsummer into your garden and keeps it there well into fall, with semi-double golden blooms that rise on sturdy stems from midsummer onward. This perennial False Sunflower thrives in zones 3 through 9, reaching 3 to 6 feet tall depending on conditions, and produces abundant 2- to 3-inch daisy-like flowers perfect for cutting. Exceptionally heat and drought-tolerant, it flowers reliably in 80 to 91 days and demands only full sun and moderate water to thrive year after year.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/heliopsis-summer-sun-flower-seeds)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained Loam, Tolerates Poor Soil
Preferred Temp65-80°F
Growth Stats
72 in
Height
PeriodPerennial
TypeBush
Spacing
12-18 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-9
Size
72in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The real appeal of Summer Sun lies in its no-fuss nature combined with genuine garden impact. Those semi-double golden blooms appear in abundance from midsummer straight through frost, making it one of the season's most reliable bloomers. The sturdy upright stems stand up to weather without staking, while the flowers last beautifully in fresh arrangements. Its exceptional heat and drought tolerance means once established, this perennial asks very little of you.
Common Uses
Summer Sun excels as a fresh-cut flower for bouquets and floral arrangements, where its sturdy stems and long vase life make it a florist's friend. In the garden, it works as a reliable mid-to-back border plant that keeps delivering color when many summer bloomers begin to fade.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-summer
First Harvest
N/a
Last Harvest
N/a
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost at soil temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until germination occurs.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 36 inches apart to allow room for mature growth. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost when soil temperatures have reached 65 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.
Harvesting
For cut flowers, harvest in the early morning when blooms are fully open but still fresh. Cut stems at least 12 inches long and immediately place them in cool water. Flowers last longest when harvested before peak heat of the day.
Pruning
As a bushy perennial, Summer Sun benefits from deadheading spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut back the entire plant to 4 to 6 inches above ground in late fall or early spring to maintain a compact form and promote vigorous regrowth.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Soil pH Range
6 – 7.5
Scientific Classification
Heliopsis Pers.
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Heliopsis