Species crown beard
yellow flowers with yellow-brown center, green leaves and stems

crown beard

Verbesina helianthoides

Crown beard (Verbesina helianthoides) is an annual flowering plant native to the southern United States. It grows up to four feet tall, with a slender stem topped with yellow flowers in late summer and early fall. The leaves are deeply cut and have a distinctive diamond-shaped shape. Crown beard prefers sunny habitats in woodlands, meadows, and roadsides, and makes a lovely addition to native plant gardens. It spreads easily, so be sure to give it enough space. Its flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, creating a vibrant and diverse ecosystem.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Stem Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Crown beard should ideally be watered on a regular basis, aiming for moist soil but not overly saturated soil. Typically, 1 should water the crown beard plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Deep watering once or twice a week is the best method for keeping the Crown beard healthy. Overly wet soils will lead to root rot. When watering, be sure to use room temperature water, as cold water can shock the root system.

sunlight

Crown beard (Verbesina helianthoides) is a tolerant plant species that can thrive in a variety of light conditions. It prefers bright, indirect light throughout the day but can tolerate direct sunlight for several hours daily. When grown as an outdoor plant, direct sunlight for most of the day is best. During the summer months, it is best to provide 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, and in the cooler months, 4 to 6 hours will suffice. Keeping the plant in a brightly lit area near a window or outdoors can also provide enough sunlight for the crown beard to thrive.

pruning

Crown beard should be pruned in late summer and fall when there is an abundance of new growth. Pruning should begin in late August and continue through the end of October. Prune off any dead, woody, or unhealthy branches at their base first, then remove any crossing branches to promote air flow within the plant structure. Remove upward facing buds so that the plant is opened up to receive more sunlight and water. Some light shaping can be done as well, but try to keep the natural form of the plant as much as possible. If possible, prune 1/3 of the plant each year over 2 to 3 years to prevent severe cutting all at once.

Season

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

Verbesina helianthoides typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in April or May.

Hardiness Map