Maximillian Sunflower
Maximilian Sunflower is a tall (3-8 feet) perennial sunflower with yellow flowers up to 3 inches across. This plant’s tubers were an important food source for western tribes of Native Americans, and it should have great potential as a permaculture plant. Found from southern Canada south to North Carolina, Kentucky and Texas, this plant tolerates full to partial sun, dry to moderate moisture, and a wide range of soils. It blooms from late August to October and flowers attract honey bees and wild bees. Serves as an important wildlife plant – deer forage on leaves and birds eat the seeds. Has been used as a perennial seasonal hedge. Probably too vigorous and spreading for herbaceous borders and other mixed flower beds, but outstanding for back-of-the-border, boundaries, and permaculture plantings. (Helianthus maximiliani)