Species little sunflower
yellow-colored flowers with prominent brown stamens, upright, green stems, and lanceolate, narrow leaves

little sunflower

Helianthella quinquenervis

The little sunflower (Helianthella quinquenervis) is a delightful alpine flower found in the western United States. It is a hardy perenniel, with showy yellow flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall. Its needle-like foliage is a deep silvery green, which contrasts nicely with its sunny petals. Little sunflowers are low-growing, mat-forming plants, but still eye-catching, a perfect addition to any garden. They are drought-tolerant and even able to survive in nutrient poor soils, making them a dependable choice for an array of settings.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow rays with darker yellow center Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

For Little Sunflower (Helianthella quinquenervis), it is recommended to water the plant deeply and infrequently. This means that you should provide around 1 inch of water every week during the growing season, but wait until the top 2 inches of soil are dry before giving the plant more water. During the winter months, the frequency of watering can be reduced, but still check occasionally to ensure the soil is not overly dry.

sunlight

Little sunflower (Helianthella quinquenervis) requires full sunlight or 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day. It is important to place the plant in a location where it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun throughout the day. Plants can still grow without full sun though they may not reach their full potential in terms of flower size and color. If your little sunflower does not receive adequate direct sunlight, supplementing with artificial lighting for a few hours a day can help.

pruning

Little sunflowers (Helianthella quinquenervis) should be pruned in late summer or early fall, before frost sets in. The amount of pruning varies depending on the desired size and shape of the plant. To encourage fuller growth, lightly prune some of the stems back to their branching point. Trim any flower heads after they turn brown to encourage further flowering. To control the size of the plant, remove old or excess stems. Deadheading any flowers that have passed their prime will also help keep the plant looking tidy and improve air circulation.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Little sunflower typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map