PLANT OF THE MONTH: Maximilian Sunflower
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Helianthus maximiliani
FAMILY: Asteraceae (Aster Family)
TYPE: Tall (3 to 10 ft.) perennial shrub like plant with single or clustered stems.
NATURAL HABITAT: Roadside, disturbed areas, mixed grass prairies. In drier regions near a
water source or low area.
GROWTH: Spreads by rhizomes putting up annual stems. Forms dense plant clusters.
DEER RESISTANCE: Deer and other browsers and grazers will eat this plant.
WILDLIFE: Valuable plant for butterflies, bees and other insects. Good seed production for birds.
LIGHT TOLERANCE: Full sun, will not tolerate shade.
FLOWERS: Several yellow blooms up to 3 inches across on each stalk from midsummer through
fall, it may not bloom heavily until the second year.
LEAVES: Long, narrow, pointed, alternate, coarse and hairy sometimes appearing grayish.
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low water requirement once established. It should, however, be
watered during drought.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Prefers moist soil but is tolerant of a wide range of soil types including
limestone.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS: Space plants bearing in mind that they will form clusters and spread.
The closer they are planted, the sooner the clusters will become dense. Dig a hole at least two times wider
than, but the same depth as the root ball in the nursery container. Sides of the hole should be irregular, not
smooth. Remove plant from container, taking care to support the root ball. Loosen exterior roots gently with
your fingers. If the plant is root-bound and cannot be loosened by hand, the outer roots may be cut in several
places. Lift the plant by the root ball and place into the hole. Backfill hole, using soil that was dug out.. Do not
add any soil to the top of the root ball. Gently firm the soil with your hands, but do not tamp it down. Place 3-4
inches of mulch over the bare soil around, but not touching the base of the plant.
WATERING INSTRUCTIONS: Water deeply after planting to settle soil around roots. Then every 7-10
days, as needed, during the first growing season. Before watering, check for soil moisture at a depth of an inch
or two at the edge of the root ball. Skip a watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch. Maintain this watering
schedule until the first fall. Reduce watering during the cool fall and winter months. In a “normal” year, no
watering may be necessary during the fall and winter, but during a dry period, monthly watering may be
needed. Second Spring and thereafter: Water monthly only during periods of drought. Once established,
natives will survive with little supplemental irrigation.
OPERATION NICE! TIP: This plant will produce chemicals that hinder the growth of neighboring
plants. Use this sturdy perennial in lieu of hybrid annual sunflowers.
Care Instructions are provided by the Native Plant Society of Texas- Boerne Chapter. Our meetings begin at
7:00 pm on the first Tuesday, September-June at the Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium. Our meetings are free
and open to the public and include social time starting at 6:30 pm. Please visit our website
www.npsot.org/boerne for other suggested NICE! Plants of the Month.