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Dakota Sunshine Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus)

Helianthus maximiliana 'Dakota Sunshine'

$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  3-8 | Good to grow! Zone
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Size: Plant - 5" Deep Pot
$9.99
$9.99 $0.00
$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
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• ‘Dakota Sunshine’ is an outstanding August blooming selection of the native Maximilian's Sunflower
• Chosen from South Dakota collected seed, this cultivar is especially useful in short season climates to avoid flower damage from early frosts
• Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric)
• A Lauren Springer Introduction exclusively available at High Country Gardens

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Description

5-6' tall x 3-5' wide (cutting propagated). Gardeners in cold, short growing season areas can now enjoy the spectacular beauty of Maximilian's Sunflower. High Country Gardens, working with Scott and Lauren Springer Ogden is introducing this newly selected, early blooming cultivar of Maximilian's Sunflower, 'Dakota Sunshine' While most Maximilian Sunflowers begin blooming in mid-September through early October, 'Dakota Sunshine' comes into flower in mid-August and avoids the hard, early frost common to short season climates. Adaptable to growing in any soil (including clay), this perennial sunflower is a big, easy-to-grow native prairie plant that is perfect for planting in hedges and in front of blank fences and walls where its ornamental foliage will add interest and texture to the landscape. Cut back old stems to 2-3" above ground-level in mid-spring.

Planting & Care

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.

Shipping

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We're sorry, this product cannot ship to: Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, and Guam

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 fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-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 at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Late summer to fall

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Birds
  • Native
  • Mass Plantings
  • Naturalizes
  • Easy To Grow
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut Flowers
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

5-6' tall (60-72" tall)

Mature Spread

36-60" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Clay Soil
  • Sandy Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Special Groups

  • High Country Gardens Exclusive
  • High Country Gardens Introduction

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

  • Zone 3
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8

Ships As

Potted Plant

Can Send To PO Box

No
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Overall rating: 4.3333335 / 5 from 3 reviews.

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Reviews

Thirsty

"Third year for these, and they can't hang here in dry windy Wyoming(which is odd because they're listed as native and common in my county, must only occur in riparian areas, because I've never once seen these in the wild). They do bloom at a very appropriate time in about mid August, so that's nice, and they are a beautiful perennial sunflower, but…. I had to water these constantly this year and they were always struggling, the plant in the photos is about 2 feet, and the other only got about six inches tall this year. Wouldn't recommend to anyone receiving less than about 20"" precipitation annually, unless you want to provide consistent supplemental water(might do good in a rain garden with some shade too, but not dry full sun)."

— Chad (3/5)

Sunflower

"Still to early to see final results, but I will say that it arrived in a healthy condition, attractive and currently growing very well in the garden."

— Bill (5/5)

Love this plant!

"Planted this in lean high desert soil. It was about six inches high when planted in the spring and it is about two feel tall at the end of August and covered in blooms. I have ordered another one to be planted in the Fall."

— Luvinhighdesert (5/5)

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