Sunflower

I've received some helpful educational feedback in response to my BYGL Alert posted earlier today extolling the virtues of Maximilian Sunflower  (Helianthus maximiliani) [See Hort Shorts; Perennial of the Week:  Maximilian Sunflower  (Helianthus maximiliani)].

This native member of the Aster family (Asteraceae) has become one of my top favorite plants for naturalized areas.  Of course, there are no perfect plants; Maximilian Sunflowers mix a multitude of virtues with a few imperfections.

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is one of the most striking annual flowers in our landscapes, flower gardens, and agricultural fields.  The scientific name for the genus comes from the Greek helios which means "sun" and anthos which means "flower."