Ox-eye Sunflower

Description

Heliopsis helianthoides, commonly called ox-eye sunflower, is a native short lived perennial forb (wildflower).  It typically grows to 3-4′ tall and features yellow, daisy-like flowers.

The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract a wide variety of insects, including honeybees, bumblebees, and little carpenter bees. Little is known about this plant’s relationships to vertebrate animals, but they are probably similar to those of sunflowers (Helianthus spp.).

This species is palatable to livestock.

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Ox-eye sunflower tolerates drought but does best if regularly watered. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor, dry, and clayey.  Remove spent flowers to extend bloom season. Provides long summer bloom for the perennial border or cutting garden. Also effective in a native plant or wild garden or as part of a naturalized planting or prairie area.

It is a fairly common plant, favoring areas with a history of disturbance. Habitats include black soil prairies, river-bottom prairies, grassy meadows in wooded areas, open woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, thickets, limestone glades, banks of streams, and remnant prairies.

This plant is commonly used in the following mixes: Wildlife Chuckwagon Mix, Wet Meadow Mix, Shadows & Sunbeams Mix, and Prairie Patchwork Mix

Videos About This Plant

To learn more about this plant, check out our videos about it and its uses.

Wildlife Chuckwagon Mix

Wet Meadow Mix

Prairie Patchwork Mix