Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Helianthus salicifolius 'Lemon Queen'
Lemon Queen Sunflower
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- 60–96 inches
- Width
- 30–72 inches
- Flower color
- Pale lemon-yellow with a darker central disk
- Foliage color
- Dark green with a willow-like appearance
- Bloom time
- Late summer to fall (August–October)
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate to low
- Maintenance
- Low; occasional staking may be necessary
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4–9
- Wildlife
- Attracts pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Birds love the seeds, and it is also resistant to deer and rabbits
About this plant
Helianthus salicifolius 'Lemon Queen' is a late-season bloomer that brings soft yellow tones to the garden from late summer into fall. Its daisy-like flowers have pale lemon-yellow petals surrounding a darker golden center, producing a bright and inviting effect. The blooms appear in abundance atop tall, sturdy stems, making it a favorite for adding height and movement to perennial borders.
This cultivar is known for its vigorous growth and ability to thrive in a variety of garden settings. The narrow, lance-shaped foliage gives it a fine-textured appearance, providing contrast to broader-leaved plants. Its long-lasting flowers are a magnet for pollinators, drawing in bees and butterflies through the late season when many other plants have finished blooming.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm · Yarrow · Ornamental grasses · Garden phlox
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. In full sun it holds its shape best, and grouping several together keeps the color strong enough to be seen from across the garden.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Oregon Garden.
