Beach sunflowers can be a stunning addition to any garden or landscape. These vibrant, yellow flowers are popular for their hardiness and ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions. In this guide, we will explore the essential tips and techniques for proper Helianthus debilis care.
Botanical Name: Helianthus debilis
Common Names: Dune Sunflower, Beach Sunflower, Cucumberleaf Sunflower
USDA Zones: 8-11
Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis) belongs to the Asteraceae family, also known as the Aster, Daisy, or Composite family. It is native to the counties along the east coast.
However, there are two subspecies of the plant, namely cucumber leaf dune sunflower (H. debilis subsp. cucumerifolius), which is indigenous to scattered counties throughout the Panhandle and a few peninsular counties, and west coast dune sunflower (H. debilis subsp. vestitus), which is endemic only to Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties.
Also famous as a dune or beach sunflower, it is a coastal plant that can also thrive inland. It typically blooms during the summer, but in South Florida, it may flower throughout the year.
Beach Sunflower produces yellow daisy-like flowers with brownish-red disk florets surrounded by bright yellow ray florets. The leaves are deltoid-shaped with rough surfaces and toothed margins, and they are arranged alternately.
One of the unique characteristics of Beach Sunflowers is their ability to attract wildlife. Its flowers are attractive to several species of butterflies, while its fruits serve as a source of food for birds. Besides, the flowers can be cut off and used for indoor decoration.
You can propagate beach sunflowers from both seeds and cuttings.
Beach sunflowers require full sun to thrive,
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