• A close-up of a Helianthus pauciflorus (Beautiful Sunflower) in full bloom, its golden-yellow petals radiating outward in a slightly irregular pattern. The dark brown central disk is surrounded by curling, thread-like florets, adding texture to the flower’s intricate structure. The bloom stands out against a backdrop of green foliage and dried grasses, showcasing its natural prairie habitat.
  • A single Helianthus pauciflorus (Beautiful Sunflower) growing in rocky, dry soil, its deep green leaves speckled with signs of resilience. The bright yellow bloom, with its dark brown center, stands defiantly against the arid terrain, demonstrating the plant's ability to thrive in tough conditions. Small stones and patches of dried vegetation surround the plant, emphasizing its rugged environment.
  • A dense cluster of Helianthus pauciflorus (Beautiful Sunflowers) filling a sunlit garden bed, their bright yellow blooms standing tall on slender green stems. Lush, heart-shaped leaves form a dense base, while the flowers reach skyward, creating a striking contrast against the rustic backdrop of a rural landscape with a small shed and rolling hills in the distance.
  • A sun-drenched hillside dotted with Helianthus pauciflorus (Beautiful Sunflowers), their golden-yellow blooms scattered across the wild prairie landscape. The flowers intermingle with a variety of native grasses and other wild plants, creating a vibrant tapestry of color and texture. Sunlight filters through, casting a warm glow on the diverse plant community thriving in the open, dry habitat.
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Wild About Flowers

Helianthus pauciflorus - Beautiful Sunflower

Helianthus pauciflorus - Beautiful Sunflower

$5.50 CAD
$5.50 CAD
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Beautiful Sunflower is a hardy, sun-loving perennial with tall, upright stems topped with golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. Its nectar-rich blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, while its nutrient-dense seeds provide food for goldfinches, sparrows, and other seed-eating birds. The rough, lance-shaped leaves give it a bold presence in the landscape, and its deep root system makes it highly drought-tolerant.

Well suited for prairie plantings, wildflower meadows, and pollinator gardens, Beautiful Sunflower thrives in full sun and dry soils. Due to its vigorous spreading habit, it is best used in larger rural plantings or naturalized areas and may require management in smaller garden settings. Its deep, fibrous roots help stabilize dry soils, making it an excellent choice for prairie restoration and erosion control. While not a preferred food source, deer may browse on young plants or tender new growth, however, established plants generally recover well from any browsing.

How Easy Is This Plant to Grow?

Germination Difficulty: Beginner
Growing Difficulty: Beginner
Speed of Growth: Fast
Age to First Bloom: 1-2

Plant Sizes & Blooming Window

Important Information - The "Plant Sizes" are provided as a general guideline for plant selection. The "Blooming Window" indicates the general period when the species is in bloom, not how long an individual plant will flower.

Plant growth and bloom times will vary depending on geographical location & individual site conditions. Please scroll down to see the specific information for this plant.

Edible & Medicinal Info Disclaimer

The Edible & Medicinal information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be acted on without thorough research and professional guidance. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of or misidentification of plants.

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Plant Specifics

Seeds Per Pack

Seeds Per Package: 9

Light Conditions

  • Sun

Soil Conditions

  • Well Drained
  • Loam
  • Sandy
  • Gravelly
  • Dry

Height

  • 12" - 24"
  • 24" - 36"
  • 36" - 48"

Width

  • Spreading

Bloom Colour

  • Yellow

Month of Bloom

  • July
  • August
  • Septemeber

Vigorousness

  • Aggressive
  • Very Aggressive

Deer Resistance

  • Moderate

Features

  • Birds
  • Butterflies
  • Bees
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Rural Spaces
  • Medicinal Properties
  • Edible Parts

Chinook Exposure

  • Fully Exposed

Distribution Info

Native to  Canada, Beautiful Sunflower is found from BC to ON, and occurs widely across the central and western US. It grows in dry prairies, open woodlands, exposed rocky slopes and along roadsides.

Traditional Edible & Medicinal Info

Helianthus pauciflorus seeds are edible and were traditionally harvested as a food source by Indigenous groups, while young shoots and leaves were occasionally eaten in survival situations. Medicinally, infusions from leaves and flowers were used to reduce swelling, fevers, and minor pain, while crushed leaves were applied as poultices for cuts, insect bites, and wounds. Some preparations were taken to ease stomach discomfort, and though not toxic, excessive consumption may cause mild digestive upset.