Helianthus strumosus (Fr: Hélianthe scrofuleux | En: Pale-leaved Sunflower)

Pale-leaved Sunflower

Helianthus strumosus
Alternative names: Rough sunflower, Woodland Sunflower (note: sometimes confused with H. divaricatus)
French: Hélianthe scrofuleux

The Pale-leaved Sunflower is a tall, showy perennial native to eastern North America, known for its brilliant yellow flowers and smooth, pale green foliage that gives the plant its name. It typically blooms from mid to late summer, providing late-season nectar to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when many other native species have already finished flowering.

This species is adaptable and vigorous, often found in meadows, woodland edges, and moist thickets. It spreads by rhizomes and can form dense colonies, making it a great choice for naturalized plantings, pollinator meadows, or restoration projects.

Pale-leaved Sunflower grows best in full sun to light shade, in moderately moist to rich soils. Its height, often reaching over 1.5 metres, makes it especially valuable as a mid- to back-layer species in garden borders or wildflower mixes.

Height: 1.5 to 2.5 m
Bloom time: July to September
Light: Full sun to part shade
Moisture: Moderate to moist
Soil: Loamy to clay, rich and well-drained
Habitat: Meadows, woodland edges, roadsides, thickets
Ecological benefits: Excellent for pollinators, spreads for soil coverage
Edible: Not typically consumed