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Dune Sunflower |
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Beach Sunflower |
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Cucumberleaf Sunflower |
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Cucumber-Leaf Sunflower |
Plant Habit: | Herb/Forb |
Life cycle: | Perennial |
Sun Requirements: | Full Sun Full Sun to Partial Shade |
Water Preferences: | Mesic |
Soil pH Preferences: | Neutral (6.6 – 7.3) |
Minimum cold hardiness: | Zone 8b -9.4 °C (15 °F) to -6.7 °C (20 °F) |
Maximum recommended zone: | Zone 11 |
Plant Height: | 24 - 30 inches |
Plant Spread: | 4 - 6' |
Leaves: | Evergreen Other: the leaves & stems have a punjent piney type scent when disturbed |
Flowers: | Showy |
Flower Color: | Yellow |
Bloom Size: | 2"-3" |
Flower Time: | Late winter or early spring Spring Late spring or early summer Summer Late summer or early fall Fall Late fall or early winter Winter |
Underground structures: | Taproot |
Suitable Locations: | Beach Front Xeriscapic |
Uses: | Provides winter interest Erosion control Groundcover Will Naturalize |
Wildlife Attractant: | Bees Butterflies |
Resistances: | Deer Resistant Humidity tolerant Drought tolerant Salt tolerant |
Propagation: Seeds: | Sow in situ Other info: will freely self sow |
Propagation: Other methods: | Cuttings: Stem Layering Other: it roots wher it touches the ground -- can be invasive |
Containers: | Not suitable for containers |
Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Aug 27, 2014 12:07 PM Helianthus debilis, the Beach Sunflower or Dune Sunflower (the name I've always known it by), is a wonderful perennial groundcover here in my area. We see this sunflower growing alongside coastal highway A1A, as well as trailing along the sand dunes on the beach and growing in residential gardens. It acts as a stabilizer of sand dunes and helps prevent beach erosion. The Dune Sunflower is native to the United States and can be found along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, where it tolerates a fair amount of salt spray. The name debilis in latin means weak, lame, or debilitated, which describes this plant's tendency to crawl along the ground. It's an extremely drought-tolerant plant, and the blooms attract butterflies. [ Reply to this comment | |
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