Bring the spirit of the wild Tallgrass prairie to your backyard with the Maximilian Sunflower. Unlike the single-season giants you might be used to, this is a stout, hardy perennial that returns year after year, spreading via rhizomes to form lush, deep green colonies. It saves its spectacular show for the very end of the season, offering masses of three-inch, golden blooms along tall, unbranched stems from August until the frost. Because it thrives in full sun and tolerates a range of soils, it is an excellent choice for naturalizing a fence line or anchoring the back of a border. Beyond its beauty, this sunflower is a vital hub for biodiversity. Its late bloom time makes it a crucial fueling station for migrating Monarch butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects like lady beetles and lacewings. Once the flowers fade, the seeds become essential forage for birds. For the best garden performance, we recommend giving the plants a "haircut" in late May, pruning them back to about 18 inches; this encourages a bushier, sturdier habit that will support the weight of its autumn gold.
