Species ashy sunflower
Yellow flower with yellow-brown anthers and green leaves.

ashy sunflower

Helianthus mollis

Ashy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis) is an attractive, informal daisy-like perennial with an irregular mound of narrow, gray-green foliage and single yellow flowers. Blooming in late summer, the Ashy Sunflower grows up to 4 feet/1.2m tall and is great for providing color in a flower border or prairie garden. It tolerates average soils and droughts in sunny areas, making it a great low-maintenance choice. It attracts butterflies and is deer-resistant but can also be utilized as a cut flower in winter. Ashy Sunflower is a pleasant addition to any garden!

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Root Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

When watering an ashy sunflower, it is important to remember that, like most plants, ashy sunflowers prefer slightly moist soil. Water your ashy sunflower every 1 to 2 weeks, ensuring that the soil stays damp but not saturated. To help determine the right amount of water, stick your finger in the soil about an inch deep; if the soil is still somewhat moist, it may not require additional watering. During hot, dry weather, you may need to water a bit more often. Always water near the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves, as this can cause rot.

sunlight

The ashy sunflower (Helianthus mollis) is a drought-tolerant perennial that grows best in full sun. For optimal growth, this plant should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day during the summer months. During the winter months, it can tolerate some partial shade but would prefer full sun to prevent flowering from becoming sparse. To ensure maximum flower production, provide as much sunlight as possible during the growing season.

pruning

Pruning should be done for ashy sunflower (Helianthus mollis) whenever it is necessary to do so. Pruning should be done early in the season of growth. This will encourage healthy growth and promote overall health of the plant. It will also help to keep the plant compact and prevent it from becoming too tall and top heavy. The best time to prune ashy sunflower is late winter or early spring after the plant's dormancy period has ended. Pruning should focus on removing any dead, diseased, or broken branches and stems. It is also essential to remove any weak or dead stems in order to allow new growth to come in strong and healthy. Forms of pruning, like thinning to reduce density and cutting back the tips of stems to stimulate healthy side-branching, can also be done to improve the shape of the tree. Overall, a little pruning done properly early in the season can go a long way in helping to keep your ashy sunflower healthy and happy.

Season

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

The ashy sunflower typically begins flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

The ashy sunflower typically begins flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map