Smooth Oxeye Wildflower Plugs - Heliopsis helianthoides
Smooth oxeye, also known as false sunflower, is a native perennial wildflower in the aster family that deserves more attention than it gets due to its ability to thrive in a wide range of soils and regions, attraction to insects and birds, and its showy yellow flowers that come back every year.
Smooth oxeye can be found in most of the eastern half of the US, often in prairies and edges of woodlands where it reaches heights of 3’-5’ with oppositely attached leaves with toothed edges. One or more flowers will form atop the stalks that look like a sunflower to the untrained eye, but the main distinguishing features are the flower rays that persist (sunflower ray flowers don’t last long), and the orange-yellow, raised disk in the center. The blooms occur June - September.
Oxeye is equally easy to grow at home along the edge of a wildflower garden or out in an old field. If you are interested in attracting beneficial insects this is a good one. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, ground-nesting bees, false milkweed bugs, and many more. The seeds attract all sorts of birds that are also interested in all the protein rich bugs. If you haven’t gotten into wildflowers yet, it’s worth it and very rewarding to venture out before or after a long day and watch all the critters them. This species is a must have for your collection…especially if you are in its huge native range.
Planting Zones: 3-9
