Maximilian Sunflower

Maximilian Sunflower For Sale

The Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) is an extremely tall and luscious flower in the Aster family. This plant is native to the Great Plains of North America. Now naturalized across the USA, it is a common species found in prairie environments from the east to the west. It's beloved for its ability to withstand droughts or flooding and lives for decades while reseeding and producing new plants.

Given their tall stature, the Maximilian flowers will have you looking skyward, framing their vibrant yellow flowers and green leaves against a bright blue horizon; a scene inspiring serenity and peace.

The flowers themselves have showy, bright yellow petals with dark brown to green centers and expand 5 in in diameter. The stems support multiple beautiful blooms along the length of the top third of the stem. After flowering, the plant recedes to only its rhizome until the following year.

Maximilian Sunflower Details 

Family: Asteraceae

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Light Requirement: Full sun

Water Needs: Low to moderate

Height: 3 to 10 ft

Spread: 2 to 4 ft

Growth Rate: Moderate

Bloom Time: August to September

Flower Color: Bright yellow with brown central disk

Wildlife Value: Attractive to pollinators

The Heliantum maximilian is a vigorous plant that can form large colonies. It is ideal for a large pollinator garden, ensuring it has room to spread. The plant's rhizome is edible and similar to Jerusalem artichoke in taste and texture; its vigorous growth ensures a hardy crop of its flavorful rhizomes.

These prolific flowers also develop significant seed stocks, making them attractive to wildlife. It is common to see little birds collecting seeds from the pollinated flowers of this productive herbaceous plant.

How to Grow 

These robust plants tolerate a wide range of soil types and grow best when planted in full sun in dry, medium, well-drained soil. That said, they are tolerant of drought. They are vigorous growers and are most suitable in areas that give them room to spread.

These disease-resistant plants are not at risk of herbivory. However, Maximilian Sunflower does require staking if planted in a wind-prone area. Plant them next to a fence to reduce wind loading and provide extra privacy in the spring and summer months.

Why Choose the Heliantum Sunflower?

Produces food for wildlife, the rhizome is edible, and it has prolific flowering.

These robust, vigorous, and prolific sunflowers produce not only beautiful blooms and vibrant green stems but also a food source for wildlife and humans alike. Shop for the Maximillian Sunflower online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.