Downy Sunflower
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Helianthus mollis
Also commonly known as Ashy Sunflower.
A species of sunflower widespread across much of the United States and Canada in prairies, roadsides, dry open woods, rocky glades, fields, and thickets. The leaves are mostly along the stem rather than crowded near the base, each egg-shaped. Fine, soft, downy hairs cover the stems and leaves, giving it a blueish-gray-green appearance. Flowers boom abundantly through summer. It spreads aggressively by both rhizomes and reseeding.
Its preference is for poor, drier soils, those with gravel, rock or clay, where it will form dense stands. But it will do well and actually grow taller in nutrient-rich medium soils, too. There is evidence that the root system has an allelopathic agent that prevents other plants from growing around it. Downy Sunflower is very aggressive - a quality some might look for especially in land restoration, for erosion issues, or to cover large landscapes. However, in a small landscape setting it's a plant that could easily take over an entire area. Also, removal of the seed head before the seed is ripe is preferable to weeding unwanted seedlings.
It is beneficial to a wide variety of insects and wildlife. The foliage is a food source for checkerspot butterflies, and the seeds are a favorite of goldfinches and other birds.
Height: 3'-6'
Spread: Spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding.
Bloom: July-September
Light: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water: Low-Medium
Zone: 3-9
Origin: Texas, Midwestern and Eastern U.S.
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 10-15 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
