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Santa Fe Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus)

Helianthus maximiliana 'Santa Fe'

$17.99
$17.99 $0.00
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  4-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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Exclusive. Helianthus maximiliana 'Santa Fe' is a selected form of Maximilian's Sunflower chosen for its huge, bright yellow daisies that tightly pack the 6 foot tall flowering spike. A tough perennial for difficult growing conditions, it blooms in mid-September. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric). A High Country Gardens introduction.

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Description

6-8' tall x 4' wide (cutting propagated). Helianthus maximiliana is one of fall's showiest wildflowers. 'Santa Fe' is our superior cultivar selected for its incredible flowers, stunning foliage and mid-fall bloom time. The large golden-yellow flowers are tightly stacked on the top 3 to 4 feet of the stem, and the large deep green symmetrically arranged leaves make an attractive hedge many months before the plant comes into flowers. Grows in any soil including heavy clay. This is a very big, vigorous grower that spreads via underground roots. It should not be planted in the middle of flower beds as it eventually overtakes its neighbors. Instead, put it off to the side against a hot sunny wall, against a fence or other unused spot that has tougher growing conditions and poor soil. This is perfect for a low maintenance patch of color!

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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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 (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Advantages

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

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Bloom Time

Early to mid fall

Additional information

Planting Time

  • Spring / Summer

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Clay Soil

Mature Height

6-8' tall

Mature Spread

48" wide

Growing Zones

  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Ideal Region

  • Pacific Northwest
  • Southwest
  • West

Native To

North America

Special Groups

  • High Country Gardens Exclusive
  • High Country Gardens Introduction

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes
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