Maximilian Sunflower

A beautiful floral display is underway in the Voice of America (VOA) Butler County MetroPark just off I-75 north of Cincinnati. The draw for me and apparently many others is a sea of gorgeous yellow flowers running for about 1/2 mile between the park's lake and Liberty Way; a road that borders the northern edge of the park. The display is a show-stopper!

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.