Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra

Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: ox eye 
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: United States
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Description: Yellow orange rays and brownish yellow center
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates drought, but does better if regularly watered. Tolerates wide range of soils, including poor, dry, and clayey. Tolerates some light shade, but plants grown in too much shade tend to require support. Remove spent flowers to extend the blooming season.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Heliopsis helianthoides, commonly called oxeye sunflower or ox-eye daisy, is an upright, clump-forming, nearly glabrous, sunflower-like, short-lived perennial that is native to eastern and central North America. It typically grows to 3-4' tall and features daisy-like flowers (2-3” diameter) with yellow-orange rays surrounding brownish-yellow center cones. Flowers bloom throughout summer atop stiff stems clad with ovate, toothed leaves (to 6" long). The blooms are attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. Small seeds are attractive to birds.

Plants in the genus Heliopsis are both similar in appearance to and closely related to those in the genus Helianthus, the true sunflower. Heliopsis is sometimes commonly called false sunflower.

Var. scabra differs from species plants by having hairy and rough-textured (scabrous) leaves and stems with the leaves being thicker. Upper leaves may be entire with basal leaves toothed. Cultivars of var. scabra are more commonly grown in gardens that the species itself.

Genus name comes from the Greek words helios meaning the sun and opsis meaning resembling in allusion to the rayed yellow flower heads.

Specific epithet means resembling the genus Helianthus.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Red aphids are occasional visitors. Reportedly has some resistance to powdery mildew.

Uses

Rock gardens, beds and borders. Also appropriate for containers.