A delightful Illinois and Missouri native perennial, Western Sunflower, Helianthus occidentalis, brings bright, orange-yellow 2″ daisies mid-summer into fall on almost leafless flower stems. A true sunflower, the Western Sunflower always faces the sun. Growing smaller than other sunflowers, at 2-4′ tall and 1-2 feet wide, it makes a top choice for sunflower enthusiasts with limited space. Impressive 8” long leaves form a 4-8” tall foliage clump. Its cheery Sunflowers adorn sturdy, almost naked, 2-3′ flower stems. Also known as Naked Stemmed Sunflower and Fewleaf Sunflower due to the very few leaves on the flowering stems.

Western Sunflower makes a delightful addition to naturalized, perennial, cottage, cutting, pollinator, and meadow gardens. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor sandy soils, rich soils, and clays, yet dislikes heavy clay soil. Tolerates dry soils and drought. Spreads over time by creeping rhizomes to form colonies. Western Sunflower attracts birds and butterflies. Deer resistant.

Plant in sun. Thrives in many types of soils, except heavy clay. Amend clay soil with compost or other organic matter.