A large and imposing sunflower with tall, white-hairy stems that produce drooping leaves up to 12″ long and only 2″ wide. Typical sunflower like flowers grow 2-3″ wide in clusters at the top of the stems. 10-25 yellow petals surrounding a yellow disc are produced late summer to fall. Nectar for monarchs, animals eat the seeds.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Maximilian Sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Glade, Prairie
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Yellow
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators, Food/Small Animals

Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
48 to
108
inches
Spread:
36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 48 to
108
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Size
Height: 48 to
108
inches
Spread: 36 to
48
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Establishment and Care Instructions
Naturally found on rocky slopes, dry praries in full sun. Will grow to huge proportions given reasonable garden care-spectacular!
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.