Helianthella californica, California Sunflower

Do you like sunflowers but don’t have room for them? This is the plant for you! Helianthella californica produces a smaller version of the same beautiful yellow flowerheads but fits easily into a garden bed with other perennials. The clumps of dark green, lance-shaped leaves stay under a foot tall and the small, golden-yellow sunflower heads top stems of about 30” in summer. Plant it in full sun to light shade where it will be quite drought tolerant once established. The flowers attract a wide array of pollinators and beneficial insects. In its native habitat, it is found in chaparral and woodland communities throughout much of California.