Species oxeye sunflower

oxeye sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister'

Oxeye sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister') is a striking perennial plant with bright yellow petals and deep brown centres. The flowers bloom in summer and are usually 1 to 2 feet tall. Their foliage is blue-green and their leaves are toothed and oval-shaped. The fire twister cultivar has bright orange petals, contrasting more strikingly with the dark centres. They thrive in full sun and may become quickly overcrowded if planted closely in thick soil. They attract butterflies and bees and are deer and rabbit resistant. In bouquets, they add a unique touch to a summer display. Keep them healthy by deadheading throughout the season.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 9

Flowers:

Red-orange with dark brown center disks Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Oxeye Sunflowers need to be watered moderately and consistently. They prefer evenly moist soil that is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Watering should be done once every 5-7 days, providing 1-2 inches of water per session. If the soil begins to look excessively dry, then increase the frequency of watering. The amount of water needed will vary depending on the time of year and the climate. During the hot summer months, more water might be needed.

sunlight

Oxeye sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister') thrive when grown in a sunny spot with plenty of direct light. They need at least 8-10 hours of sunlight a day in order for the flowers to be a vibrant, firey red color. If planted in a spot with partial sun, the flowers may become less intensely-colored. Oxeye sunflowers prefer full sunlight and may become stressed or die if planted in too much shade or an area with insufficient light.

pruning

Oxeye sunflowers should be pruned in late winter or early spring, just before new growth appears. Trim out the dead and damaged stems, as well as any that are crossing. Cut the stems back to just above the ground or to a pair of healthy buds. Pinching or cutting off the terminal buds as new growth begins will encourage bushy, healthy plants. You should prune about 1-third of the stems off to thin out the plant and to keep it smaller. Pruning also encourages air circulation and can help to prevent disease.

Season

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

Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Hardiness Map