Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Summer Nights'
Early Sunflower 'Summer Nights' (Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Summer Nights') Aster Family 'Summer Nights' Early Sunflower is an easy to grow and long blooming wildflower that works well in meadow-type plantings and in semi-shady woodlands. The golden-yellow flowers with deep orange centers bloom for most of the summer and are replaced with seeds for birds and other small animals. Its long bloom time gives it a high pollinator value, with many types of insects feeding on the pollen and nectar as well as the stems, leaves, and seeds. Best form and flowering will occur in full sun and moist soils, but this plant is highly adaptive to most sun and soil conditions. Plants grown in more shade may need to be cut back for bushier growth if tidiness is an issue. This stunning cultivar has red stems with burgundy-tinged leaves. Blooms: Yellow, 8-12 weeks, May-Sep Leaves: Large, rough, burgundy-tinged, ovate leaves, paired oppositely up the stem Height: 3-5’ Space: 2-3' Soil: Average-Moist-Dry, tolerates moist soil condition Exposure: Full sun-Part sun-Part shade Fauna: Attractive to most insects, eat nectar & foliage Seeds: Many flattened, dark colored seeds packed into round seed head Deer Resistance: Medium Zone: 3-9 Native Status: NC native, common in the Piedmont & Mountains, rare in the Coastal Plain Provenance: Unknown, seed grown