Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian's Sunflower) Unity Grown

Helianthus maximiliani is a tall, upright, perennial wildflower native to large swathes of the US, noted for its long, narrow foliage and its profuse, airy yellow flowers. Also called Maximilian's sunflower, this large perennial can reach heights of 3-10' tall in medium clumps up to 4' wide. Named for German prince and naturalist, Maximilian von Baden who encountered the flower on a Western expedition, Helianthus maximiliani produces large, showy yellow flowers on elongated inflorescences near the top of the stem in the mid to late summer.

Despite its large size, or perhaps because of it, Maximilian's sunflower has become a popular choice for attracting wildlife and birds, especially as a border or background planting in pollinator gardens. Though the plants are occasionally grazed on by rabbits, deer, and cattle, individual plants typically survive this thanks to their large size and fast-growing nature, and a variety of birds and mammals are attracted to its seed in the mid to late fall. Helianthus species are also valuable as food sources and larval host plants for a variety of pollinators and butterflies.