• A close-up of a Helianthus nuttallii (Common Tall Sunflower) with bright yellow petals arching outward from a dense golden-brown central disk. Tiny tubular florets form a textured ring at the flower's heart, surrounded by delicate, dew-speckled petals. The rich green background of blurred grasses highlights the flower’s vibrant color, adding to the sense of a sunlit prairie habitat.
  • Two Helianthus nuttallii (Common Tall Sunflowers) rising above a sea of lush green grasses, their golden-yellow blooms standing out against the wild prairie landscape. The slender, slightly zigzagging stems support lance-shaped leaves that alternate along their height. The scene captures the sunflower's graceful, upright growth in its natural habitat, swaying gently among the tall grasses.
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Wild About Flowers

Helianthus nuttallii - Common Tall Sunflower

Helianthus nuttallii - Common Tall Sunflower

$5.50 CAD
$5.50 CAD
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Common Tall Sunflower is a bold, sun-loving perennial with towering stems topped with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. Its tall, upright growth and narrow, lance-shaped leaves make it a striking addition to prairie plantings, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Its abundant blooms provide a valuable late-season nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while its seeds offer food for birds in the fall.

Thriving in full sun to part shade, it spreads aggressively by rhizomes, making it best suited for large rural plantings or restoration projects where it can establish freely. Its fibrous root system helps stabilize soil, making it useful for riparian restoration and wetland plantings. The bitter-tasting leaves and stems make it unpalatable to most herbivores. Due to its spreading nature, it may be too vigorous for small urban gardens.

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

Seed packs are currently unavailable.

Light Conditions

  • Sun
  • Part Shade

Soil Conditions

  • Moist
  • Loam
  • Well Drained
  • Clay
  • Seasonally Moist

Height

  • 36" - 48"
  • 48" +

Width

  • Spreading

Bloom Colour

  • Yellow

Month of Bloom

  • July
  • August
  • Septemeber

Vigorousness

  • Fast
  • Aggressive

Deer Resistance

  • High

Features

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

Chinook Exposure

  • Fully Exposed

Distribution Info

Native to Canada, Common Tall Sunflower is found from BC to QC, and occurs across the northern and western US. It thrives in moist meadows, along streambanks, and in open woodlands.

Traditional Edible & Medicinal Info

Helianthus nuttallii seeds are edible and were traditionally harvested and eaten by Indigenous groups, while young shoots and leaves were occasionally used as survival food. 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.