Lemon Max Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus)

Helianthus maximiliana 'Undaunted® Lemon Max' (Perennial Sunflower) is a sensational bloomer with an explosion of huge, clear yellow August daisies. A big strapping plant, give Lemon Max plenty of room to grow. Well-suited to any type of soil, including clay. Well suited to habitat gardens--birds will relish the seeds and native bees are fond of the nectar-rich sunflowers. Discovered by Lauren Ogden in her Ft. Collins garden.
Zones4 - 8
Advantages
bee-friendly
Bee Friendly
attract-butterflies
Attract Butterflies
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Attract Birds
hcg-deer-resistant-icon
Deer Resistant
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Native
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Great For Mass Plantings
multiplies--naturalizes
Multiplies / Naturalizes
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Easy To Grow
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Low Maintenance
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Good For Cut Flowers
hcg-rabbit-resistant-icon
Rabbit Resistant
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Adds Texture
Light Requirements
full-sun
Full Sun
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Mature Height 4-5 ft. tall
Mature Spread48-60" wide (4-5 feet)
Bloom TimeEarly summer to fall
Shipping DetailsNow shipping to zone 10.
Other zones shipping soon.
Learn More…
Item Package SizePlant - 5" Deep Pot
SKUHC015333

USDA Hardiness Planting Zones

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

  • If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
  • If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

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$11.99
Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
In stock
SKU
HC015333
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Details
4-5 feet tall x 4-5 feet wide. Helianthus maximiliana 'Undaunted® Lemon Max' (Perennial Sunflower) is a sensational bloomer with an explosion of huge, clear yellow daisies in August. A big strapping plant to about 5 ft. in height and of equal girth, give ‘Lemon Max’ plenty of room to grow; it's especially well-suited to meadows and habitat gardens. While at home in any soil type, the plant loves clay. Birds will relish the seeds and the native bees are especially fond of these nectar-rich sunflowers. A garden hybrid discovered by Lauren Springer Ogden in her Fort Collins garden. (Cutting propagated.)
More Information
SKUHC015333
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Common Name
Undaunted® Lemon Max Perennial Sunflower
Botanical Name
Helianthus maximiliana Lemon Max
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Yellow
Mature Height
4-5 ft. tall
Mature Spread
48-60" wide (4-5 feet)
Bloom Time
Early summer to fall
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil, Clay Soil, Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil
Soil Moisture
Waterwise
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attract Butterflies, Attract Birds, Deer Resistant, Native, Great For Mass Plantings, Multiplies / Naturalizes, Easy To Grow, Low Maintenance, Good For Cut Flowers, Rabbit Resistant, Adds Texture
Ideal Region
Anywhere In The US, Suitable Above 7000 ft
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Native To
North America
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides

Tips On Growing Helianthus (Sunflower)

Helianthus (Sunflower) are showy late summer/early fall blooming native wildflowers that are deer and rabbit resistant. There are both annual and perennials sunflower varieties.

Preferred growing conditions:

  • Both annual and perennial Sunflower varieties grow easily in all types of soil including clay.
  • Plant in full, hot sun.
  • Sunflowers do not need to be mulched, but when planted in a garden with other plants that are mulched, they amenable to most common types of mulch including crushed gravel in xeriscapes.
  • Perennials like Helianthus maximiliana and its hybrids are xeric (waterwise). After becoming well established by their second growing season they do best with deep but infrequent watering. Too much water makes them tall and floppy; it’s best to grow them on the dry side.
  • Annual types need regular irrigation when there has been no rain.
  • Perennial types just need a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix in the planting hole to get them off to a good start.
  • Annual types benefit from more extensive soil preparation and will grow more vigorously when the soil has rototilled or dug to a depth of 8 to 12 inches and enriched with ample compost and Yum Yum Mix.

Special comments:

  • Undaunted® Lemon Max hybrid perennial sunflower sets a lot of seed. If re-seeding is not desirable, it should be deadheaded shortly after blooming has finished to reduce the number of volunteer seedlings.
  • Maximilian sunflower varieties are very vigorous growers that spread via underground roots. They should not be planted in flower beds with good soil as they will crowd out their neighbors; they are best planted in poor soil sites along fences, empty walls and other peripheral areas where their large size is an advantage.
  • Sunflower seeds are a favorite food of many songbirds, so don't deadhead the plants after blooming.

Garden Care:

  • Leave perennial plants standing over the winter and cut them back hard to a height of 1-2" in early to mid-spring.
  • Perennial varieties are easily divided in the spring to propagate additional plants or keep them in bounds if they grow too wide.
  • The seed of annual varieties should be planted when the soil begins to warm up in late spring. Sow seeds at the same time when planting corn in your area.

View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
ZoneShipping Status
Zone 2Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 3Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 4Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 5Shipping begins the week of May 1st, 2023
Zone 6Shipping begins the week of April 17th, 2023
Zone 7Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 8Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 9Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 10Now Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.

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$100 and Over$18.99

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We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.

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