Common Name: whiteleaf sunflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Southeastern United States
Zone: 6 to 8
Height: 3.00 to 6.50 feet
Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Bloom Time: August to September
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist, well-draining soils in partial to full shade. Sandy loams with some humus that stay relatively moist and cool are ideal. Hardy in Zones 6-8.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Helianthus glaucophyllus, commonly known as whiteleaf sunflower, is a herbaceous perennial endemic to moist, woodland openings, forested slopes, or roadsides in a small portion of the southern Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States. Mature plants will reach 3-6.5' tall with upright stems and spread to fill a roughly 3-4' area. The lanceolate leaves reach 3.5-7" long and 1-2.75" wide. The margins are serrated, and the undersides of the leaves have a notable white coloration. The composite blooms are made up 5-8 yellow ray florets surrounding the yellow disc florets. The main flowering period is late summer into early fall.
Genus name comes from the Greek words helios meaning sun and anthos meaning flower.
The specific epithet glaucophyllus means "white leaf" in reference to the appearance of the underside of the leaves of this species.
The common name whiteleaf sunflower refers to the appearance of the underside of the leaves of this species.
Problems
No known pest or disease problems. This relatively rare species may be hard to source. Be sure to only purchase plants from reputable nurseries that do not collect from the wild.
Uses
Woodland gardens, woodland edges, shade gardens, native gardens.