Dark-eyed Sunflower

Year-round

Purpledisk sunflower, also called dark-eyed or Appalachian sunflower, is native to the Atlanta area and grows well in part shade to full sun on medium to dry soil. It is not on the ASPCA toxic plant list, so it fits a yard with pets.

• Plant in full sun to part shade, it tolerates more shade than many other native sunflowers
• Adapts to a wide range of soils, including clay, on the drier side once established
• Grows 4 to 6 feet tall, so plant it toward the back of a bed
• Spreads slowly from rhizomes to form a clump over time

Its part-shade tolerance and clumping habit make it easier to tuck along a wooded edge or side yard than a plant that needs full sun and frequent dividing.

Fall

This sunflower blooms late summer into fall with yellow flowers, adding color after many other perennials have finished.

• Expect yellow blooms from late summer through fall
• A good late-season nectar source for bees and other pollinators
• Leave seed heads standing after bloom if you want to feed birds through fall

Winter

Purpledisk sunflower dies back to the ground after frost and regrows from its rhizome clump each spring.

• Cut old stems back once they turn brown and brittle, or leave them standing through winter for nesting bees
• No winter protection needed for the roots in the Atlanta area
• Good time to note where the clump is spreading before next year's growth

Spring

Spring growth comes up from the base of last year's clump, and this is a good time to divide it if it has outgrown its spot.

• New stems emerge from the rhizome clump as the soil warms
• Divide clumps in spring if you want to spread it to a new spot or keep it in bounds
• No fertilizer needed in typical Atlanta clay soil

Summer

Purpledisk sunflower handles Atlanta's hot summers well and does not need much water once it is established.

• Established plants tolerate moderately dry soil through summer heat
• Water new plants during their first summer to help roots establish
• It tolerates part shade, so it works under high tree canopy where full-sun sunflowers struggle