Plant · P-715

Silverleaf Sunflower

Helianthus argophyllus

Silverleaf sunflower is an annual sunflower covered in dense silvery-silky hair, growing up to ten feet tall with bright yellow blooms from late summer into autumn. It draws butterflies for nectar and feeds their caterpillars, including the Bordered Patch and the Silvery Checkerspot, and its seed heads are a favorite of finches and other seed-eating birds through autumn if left standing. It reseeds itself readily, so a stand keeps renewing on its own without being resown. The lower stems go bare as it matures, so it works best planted behind something shorter that hides the base.