First Light Willowleaf SunflowerÂ
Helianthus salicifolius ‘First Light’ PP 13150
Other Names:Â First Light Willow-Leaved Sunflower
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b  Find Your ZoneÂ
Plant Type:Â PerennialÂ
Height at Maturity:Â 3-4′
Width at Maturity:Â 3-4′
Spacing:Â Â 3′ apart for groupings or mass plantings; 6’+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form:Â Upright Clump
Growth Rate:Â Moderate to Fast
Flower Color: Â Brilliant Yellow
Flower Size:Â 3″
Flowering Period:Â Late Summer through Mid to Late Fall
Flower Type:Â Single, Daisy
Fragrant Flowers:Â No
Foliage Color:Â Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Berries:Â Â No
Berry Color:Â NA
Attracts:Â Butterflies, Birds, Pollinators, Visual Attention
Resistances:Â Deer, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity, Insect
Description
An easy-to-grow version of our North American native perennial sunflower having a more dense and compact habit and truly amazing flower power in fall, Helianthus ‘First Light’ is a willow-leaved sunflower featuring a profusion of brilliant yellow daisies over a long blooming period from late summer to mid or late fall. The explosion of color comes at a time when many summer flowering perennials are winding down or finished blooming, which the late-season butterflies and other beneficial pollinators will surely appreciate. Birds will enjoy consuming the seeds, but since First Light is a sterile hybrid so you don’t have to worry about it spreading all over the garden. This makes it a fine addition to the sunny perennial garden or landscape border. Leathery, dark green narrow leaves, hence Willow Leaf in the common name, provide nice texture in the landscape and serve as a good backdrop to the colorful flowers. Very easy to grow and drought tolerant when established, First Light is a great choice for a colorful and textural accent in smaller garden spaces and pots, or plant it in groupings for a stunning display in larger perennial or landscape borders. This is one of those spectacular plants that will always have you looking forward to fall!
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 3 to 4 feet tall and equally as wide, the First Light Sunflower is ideal for use as an accent specimen in smaller garden spaces and pots or in groupings or as a border in larger perennial and landscape borders or along paths and walkways. A fine addition perennial gardens, meadow gardens, native gardens, wildflower gardens, bird gardens and yellow theme gardens.
Suggested Spacing:Â 3 feet apart for groupings or as a solid border;Â 6 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
First Light Sunflower is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. Flowering is heavier and foliage more dense with more sun. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight. It is drought tolerant when established. Maintenance is minimal. Cut the plant back annually in late winter or early spring prior to or just when new growth begins to emerge.Â
Helpful Articles
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