Skip to product info
SALE
Ships in FALL

Santa Fe Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus)

Helianthus maximiliana 'Santa Fe'

$14.39
$14.39 $17.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Sale | Save 20%
ZONES  4-9 | Good to grow! Zone
Bulk Savings - Buy More, Save More!
No shipping data More Information

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.

Videos
     

More Like This

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

No shipping data

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.

View

Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Bloom Time

Early to mid 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

6-8' tall

Mature Spread

48" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Clay Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Special Groups

  • High Country Gardens Exclusive
  • High Country Gardens Introduction

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

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

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes

Ships As

Potted Plant
Expand For More

Overall rating: 4.875 / 5 from 24 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Santa Fe Maximilian's Sunflower is a tall, vigorous plant with large golden-yellow flowers and deep green foliage. It is highly regarded for its beauty and hardiness, making it a great choice for low maintenance color in tough growing conditions.

Summary topics

  • Sunflower Beauty: 20%
  • Plant Hardiness: 35%

Review topics: ["color","water","plant","sunflower","flowers","blooms","soil","fertilizer","location","bloomer","addition","care","spires","sun"].

Review highlights

  • "This tall, cheerful sunflower brings such a lively, natural look to my space." — Rhart303
  • "Beautiful and tough sunflower" — Duffy
  • "Nice plant where hight is required" — Sonja

Reviews

So far so good. They’re

"So far so good. They’re sprouting!"

— Roberta P. (3/5)

Lovely maintenance-free Bloomer

"Amazing sunflower. Was a little worried the buds would not open before our rains start (I live in SW Washington) but they came through. And oh my, the plant was over 8ft tall! It is thriving on the south side of the house and now that it has established I suspect it will start blooming a little earlier this year. I had to cage it early in the summer as the deer in my neighborhood will eat just about everything. But eventually they moved on to other things."

— Janet K. (5/5)

Great!

"for years I admired a very long walkway flanked by the daisies, from the road to the front door of an impressive house. Finally I made the decision to buy some for my yard too. They are magnificent. Bees and other insects and even birds are indulging in their bounty. The blossoms are nearly neon yellow. I absolutely love them. However, I will transplant them to a drier location in the spring now that I've read the instructions!"

— Cynthia T. (5/5)

Dug out my Dakota Sunshine and replaced all with Santa Fe

"I've had Dakota Sunshine and Santa Fe Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus) in my borders at Colorado 9,000 ft for a few years now. The Santa Fe are about twice the height with strong, straight stems similar to bamboo. Stands up to our high winds and hail much better than Dakota Sunshine. Leaves do not yellow early like the Dakota Sunshine does. Much denser blooms along every stem than Dakota Sunshine. Highly recommend."

— Liz (5/5)

An October bee magnet

"Have had these plants for a few years now, they get 8 feet tall with hundreds of blooms. The was photo was originally 3 plants. Chop them to the ground in the spring."

— Huck (5/5)

Showstoppers

"These grow as stalks at the side of my yard all summer, greening up a seldom-used area and hiding a view I don't like. They take no care or water. And then in October, when the maples start to turn, I have 10' stalks of glorious yellow to brighten my garden. They are irresistible to bees and butterflies and they bloom and bloom. They stay in their spot, forming clumps about two feet around that can be cut down in winter with a sawzall or pruners."

— Anonymous (5/5)

One of the Best Flowers to Close Out the Garden Season

"I recently planted Santa Fe Maximilian Sunflower in my garden, and it has quickly become a favorite! This tall, cheerful sunflower brings such a lively, natural look to my space. The bright yellow blooms are stunning and seem to keep coming all season long, adding a burst of color that attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. One of the best things about this sunflower is how hardy it is. It thrives in full sun, tolerates dry conditions, and requires very little care. Perfect for a low-maintenance garden! The tall, upright stalks give the garden vertical interest without taking over, and they blend beautifully with other wildflowers and grasses. If you want an easy-to-grow plant that adds height, color, and a wildlife-friendly vibe, I highly recommend Santa Fe Maximilian Sunflower. It's brought so much charm and energy to my garden!"

— Rhart303 (5/5)

Gorgeous, easy to grow sunflower

"I was so surprised at how large this sunflower grew! It loves full sun and our clay soil. It doesn't use much water. The flowers are gorgeous."

— COmom (5/5)

Beautiful

"The flowers are beautiful! I will definitely be ordering more in the spring."

— D (5/5)

My Favorite Sunflower

"This is a beautiful sunflower. Over 5 feet tall with numerous flowers."

— Love S. (5/5)

Q&A

Your Recently Viewed