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Monster helianthus

15 years ago

I got a perennial sunflower (helianthus) from a friend last year. It is more than 9 feet tall already; it's bending in half and is taking the stake down with it! For next year, can it be cut back in early summer to produce a smaller plant?

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Comments (5)

terrene
15 years ago
Yes definitely, I pinch my Helianthus 'Lemon Queen' in June along with other large perennials like Aster and Solidago. This tends to make them shorter and bushier, and does seem to delay bloom time somewhat.

I just got a division of Helianthus maximiliani at plant swap this Spring which is supposed to grow huge and bloom late in the season. I definitely plan to whack it back next year!
zuni
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Terrene. Your new plant sounds like the one I have. It must be 9 feet tall now, and the first bloom is only thinking about opening!
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terrene
15 years ago
I wanted to add - Helianthus seems to be a favorite of critters - which munch on it, and it grows back - so I would think they are well-adapted to this type of pruning.

There are a lot of species that get huge - do you have a picture? Here is a link on Helianthus maximiliani.

Here is a link that might be useful: Helianthus maximiliani
ellen_s
15 years ago
I have Swamp Sunflower here (Helianthus angustifolius) and it's absolutely necessary to severely prune them early in the year to control their height...this year I cut them back in June and they still grew huge and flopped over. I think it's all the rain we got here in the east this summer...
kcon
15 years ago
Anyone have any experience with pruning Western Sunflower(Helianthus occidentalus)? The literature says that these plants only grow to 2.5 to 3.5 feet. Some of mine are now over 6 feet tall. I was trying to keep this section of plants all in the 2 to 4 ft height range and that is one of the reasons I bought this sunflower. Thanks for any replies.

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