Dakota Sunshine Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus)

Exclusive. Dakota Sunshine is an 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 High Country Gardens introduction.

Zones	3 - 8
Advantages	Easy To Grow Attract Butterflies Attract Birds Bee Friendly Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant Native Low Maintenance Good For Cut Flowers Great For Mass Plantings Multiplies / Naturalizes Adds Texture
Light Requirements	Full Sun
Annual Rainfall Requirement	Low-Water (10-30")
Mature Height	5-6' tall (60-72" tall)
Mature Spread	36-60" wide
Bloom Time	Late summer to fall
Shipping	Shipping begins the week of February 22nd, 2021 Learn More…
SKU	HC017336

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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SKU

HC017336

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Details

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.

More Information
Associated SKUs	HC017336 HC014587 (Plant - 5" Deep Pot) HC015221 (Plant - 2.5" Pot) - Out of stock.
Common Name	Dakota Sunshine Maximilian's Sunflower
Botanical Name	Helianthus maximiliani Dakota Sunshine
Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Requirements	Full Sun
Flower Color	Yellow
Mature Height	5-6' tall (60-72" tall)
Mature Spread	36-60" wide
Bloom Time	Late summer to fall
Ships As	Potted Plant
Soil Type	Sandy Soil, Clay Soil, Average Soil
Soil Moisture	Waterwise
Advantages	Easy To Grow, Attract Butterflies, Attract Birds, Bee Friendly, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Native, Low Maintenance, Good For Cut Flowers, Great For Mass Plantings, Multiplies / Naturalizes, Adds Texture
Special Groups	High Country Gardens Introduction
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

Zone	Shipping Status
Zone 2	Shipping begins the week of May 17th, 2021
Zone 3	Shipping begins the week of May 17th, 2021
Zone 4	Shipping begins the week of May 17th, 2021
Zone 5	Shipping begins the week of April 26th, 2021
Zone 6	Shipping begins the week of April 12th, 2021
Zone 7	Shipping begins the week of March 29th, 2021
Zone 8	Shipping begins the week of March 1st, 2021
Zone 9	Shipping begins the week of February 22nd, 2021
Zone 10	Shipping begins the week of February 22nd, 2021

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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