Yard doc: Grow dune sunflowers for sunny blooms and drought tolerant plants

Let’s take a closer look at one of the ground cover plants mentioned last week as a turf alternative. Its sunny flowers make me smile and native bees love it. Dune sunflower or Helianthus debilis is a wonderful plant for Treasure Coast landscapes and gardens as long as its growth habit and life cycle are considered.

A sprawling plant, usually, this member of the aster or daisy family is native to the Eastern United States along the coast of both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Dune sunflower is an herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial. The leaves are triangular or heart-shaped, 3-4 inches long with toothed margins, alternate each other on the stem, and rough.

Though the plants are mostly spreading two to six feet across, they can grow to six feet tall. The root system does produce a tap root which anchors the plant in the sand and many lateral roots which help stabilize shifting sand. The root system is large and stores water, which helps the plant during times of drought.

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Bright yellow flower heads are daisy-like, a composite of an outer ring of yellow ray flowers (petals) and maroon to brown disk flowers (in the middle) and grow to 3 inches across. The flowers are produced on hairy stalks held above the leaves throughout the year. Small seeds are produced on the heads and attract birds.

Dune sunflower is frost sensitive and very salt tolerant.  Plant it in a sunny, well-drained, sandy locations. Water to establish as it is drought tolerant. Occasional supplemental irrigation during extreme drought will improve appearance.

One of the easiest plants to grow in sunny, open areas, dune sunflower can be planted from potted specimens or seeds and does very well in beds and mass plantings. Once established, little care is needed except for removing old seed heads to encourage additionally blooms. However, there is a benefit to leaving seeds, these serve as wildlife food. Patches of dune sunflower can look messy or thin out. If this occurs, cut the plants back and supplement the planting with addition, plants or seed to fill in the area.

No serious pests invade, but, dune sunflower does host butterfly larva (caterpillars) which can tatter the leaves. Beach sunflower does not tolerate poorly drained soils, over irrigation, too much fertilizer, or shade, and tends to “melt away” in heavily irrigated landscapes. So, keep it dry.

Sunflowers are great in butterfly gardens; adults visit the blooms and caterpillars feed on the leaves. Other insects such as beetles, bees, plant bugs, and moths visit dune sunflowers for food. The dense ground cover is also haven and home to various wildlife species.

Plant dune sunflower for ease of care and bright blooms and enjoy the wildlife which comes to visit.

Carol Cloud Bailey is a landscape counselor and horticulturist. Send questions to carol@yard-doc.com or visit www.yard-doc.com for more information.