Helianthus Species, Silverleaf Sunflower

This site's maximum height (6 feet) needs to be increased, because I saw some on the dunes of Grand Isle, LA today that were about 9 feet...Read More tall. The tall ones were multi-trunked, radiating outward like spokes from a center point. If they can grow that huge in pure sand, I can only imagine how much bigger they can get in actual nutrient-rich soil... Also saw several young (single-trunked) plants only a few feet tall that were already blooming. I stupidly failed to collect any seeds, so I'll have to drive 100 miles down there to get some.

This sunflower has proven to be a very hardy addition to my garden. I had planted a few seeds in a 4" black seedling pot late in the sea...Read Moreson and before I had a chance to plant them in the ground or a bigger pot I had to travel abroad from about May to early August. They sat in the tiny black pot for over 3 months throughout the peak of summer with virtualy no care. Although they were long, stringy and stunted looking when I returned in early fall, I potted them in a large pot and they began to thrive. It is now the second week of November and despite a hurricane and cooling temperatures they have just begun to flower prolifically. Their foliage has been quite attractive as they grew and now their flowers are an eye catching addition to my garden at this transitory period between growing seasons. While I wouldn't suggest treating them like this in the future, this certainly attests to their hardiness and adaptability.