Helianthus debilis
Common Names: beach sunflower, cucumber-leafed sunflower
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae (aster/daisy Family)
Perennial Annual Vine Attracts Butterflies Fast Growing Drought
Tolerant
Description
Beach sunflower may be erect, 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) tall, or a
much-branched, prostrate, spreading plant less than 18 in (46 cm)
tall, but covering a couple square feet or more. The leaves are
sand-papery coarse, heart-shaped, 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long and almost
twice as wide at their widest. The flowerhead is about 2.5-3 in
(6.4-7.6 cm) across, slightly nodding, and quite attractive. The
rays are bright yellow, numbering 11-21, and about 1 in (2.5 cm)
long. The disk is usually red-purple and about 1 in (2.5 cm) in
diameter.
Location
Most authorities recognize two subspecies of beach sunflower
occurring naturally on beaches and dunes from southeast Texas to the
east coast of Florida. Helianthus debilis subsp. debilis is
prostrate and occurs along both coasts of the Florida peninsula. It
has been introduced northward along the Atlantic Coast to North
Carolina. H. debilis subsp. cucumerifolius (Cucumber-leaf sunflower)
is erect and occurs along the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, west
to Texas, and inland, especially in disturbed sites. The cultivar,
H. debilis subsp. cucumerifolius 'Italian White', is up to 5 ft (1.5
m) tall with flowerheads 4 in (10 cm) across and pale yellow or
creamy white rays and a black disk.
Culture
Light:Full sun
Moisture: Drought tolerant
Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 - 11 .
Propagation: By seed.
Usage
The prostrate form of beach sunflower is often used as a ground
cover or in mass plantings. It is used for dune stabilization, and
is especially useful on banks and slopes in beach-front situations.
Beach sunflower is well suited for borders along beach walkways. But
you don't have to live on the beach to enjoy this rugged beauty.
Plant it in full sun where you won't be able to water it and watch
the butterflies visit to pay their respects.
Features
Beach sunflower does well on calcareous soils and acid soils alike.
It has a high tolerance for salt spray and salty soils and is very
drought tolerant. This is in the same genus as the huge, upright
annual sunflower, H. annuus. |
