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'Tuscan Sun' Perennial Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides

Flower Season
  • Summer
  • Fall
Mature Size
3' 2' 91cm 61cm
Height: 2' - 3'
Spread: 20" - 2'
Height: 61cm - 91cm
Spread: 51cm - 61cm
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  • Details

    24 - 36 Inches
    20 - 24 Inches
    20 - 24 Inches
    61cm - 91cm
    51cm - 61cm
    51cm - 61cm

    Features

    Most compact Heliopsis available, more controllable in the landscape; bright yellow flowers

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    Long Blooming
    Heat Tolerant
    Attracts: 
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Native to North America

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Perennial
    Height Category: 
    Medium
    Garden Height: 
    24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cm
    Spacing: 
    20 - 24 Inches 51cm - 61cm
    Spread: 
    20 - 24 Inches 51cm - 61cm
    Flower Colors: 
    Yellow
    Flower Shade: 
    Golden yellow
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Shade: 
    Green
    Habit: 
    Upright
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Part Sun to Sun

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Bloom Time: 
    Summer through Fall
    Hardiness Zones: 
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Soil Fertility Requirement: 
    Average Soil
    Soil PH Category: 
    Acidic Soil
    Soil PH Category: 
    Neutral Soil
    Uses: 
    Border Plant
    Uses: 
    Cut Flower
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses: 
    Specimen or Focal Point
    Uses Notes: 

    Plant alone or in combinations in all container types and the landscape

    Maintenance Notes: 

    Removing spent blooms may help encourage additional blooming.

    Winter mulch can reduce heaving that can occur with perennials from the freeze/thaw cycles of winter.

    Tuscan Sun is heat tolerant and will tolerate somewhat dry soils. While deadheading may encourage additional blooming it isn't strictly necessary for a long bloom season. The breakthrough here is an easy flowering Heliopsis with a shorter plant size, outstanding garden performance and disease resistance. A long known great garden plant with good manners and a long flowering season, also makes a great cut flower!

    An application of fertilizer or compost on garden beds and regular fertilization of plants in pots will help ensure the best possible performance.

    This compact version of Heliopsis shows off its golden yellow flowers on sturdy plants. Staking is not needed. Heat tolerant, drought tolerant, and easy to care for. Native cultivar. Use in the middle of the border and in containers.

    'Tuscan Sun' Heliopsis helianthoides USPP 18,763
  • 21 Reviews

    5
    14
    4
    2
    3
    1
    2
    2
    1
    2
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • I grew 3 of these plants for 3 summers from 1 gallon pots I bought at Home Depot in the fall of 2021. The plants were brimming with health when purchased .but they grew much taller than advertised on the tags and on the Proven Winners website. Even with pinching and no fertilizer they grew over 4 feet tall this past summer and 5 feet in the previous 2 summers. Staking was a must when in full bloom as the weight of the many flowers caused the plants to begin to flop. 'Tuscan Sun' did bloom its head off from early/mid July into September in a zone 7 garden and the flowers were a radiant yellow that lit up the border.. However, for me the fun in the sun ended this past summer as the plants developed such a horrendous case of rust from bottom to top that I dug them out and got rid of them. The rust was so bad that the leaves turned crispy brown leaving leafless stems when I started removing them, Last summer, only the very bottom leaves were affected and spraying kept the rust at bey but who wants a cultivar you have to spray to keep it from ruining the look of a garden? Admittedly, the air circulation at that part of the border was a bit less than ideal and got worse because the clump of plants grew so large. if purchased, planting them in an open area such as an island bed with full circulation on all sides might bring better results. My experience was unfortunate because this cultivar is so lovely. .

      Jerry
      , New York
      , United States
      , 3 weeks ago
    • This plant is growing and blooming fine but is a bit disappointing. The size information states it grows 3-4' tall. In reality it only grows 12-18". So be aware of this when you plant - not at the back of the border!!

      Elaine Todd
      , Virginia
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • Ordered 5 in 2022. Spring 2023 arrives and only 1 has come back. I’m in zone 7b and this plant is rated are hardy way past my zone. If you are looking to pay money for 5 blank spots in your garden this plant is for you! P.S. proven winners.com only has a 24 hour guarantee. Proven Winners Direct has a year guarantee. Makes total sense.

      andrea
      , North Carolina
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • SO pleasantly surprised by this one. It bloomed such a long time that I kept asking myself if I had misremembered and bought an annual. It started blooming in early summer with my cone flowers, and kept on going through the fall with my black eyed susans. I'm definitely adding more to my garden this spring.

      Kate
      , Georgia
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • This is a very tough and reliable plant that is very long blooming for a perennial. Stout and does not need staking even in our windy location. I have divided mine twice since first planting six years ago. Very happy.

      john smith
      , Ontario
      , Canada
      , 3 years ago
    • what should I do with Heliopsis in the fall? They are in a large Perennial flower garden, are about 3-4 feet tall and have gone to seed. Should I cut them down to the base? I live in zone 3. Thank you

      Irene olson
      , Ontario
      , Canada
      , 4 years ago
    • virginia callaway
      , Maryland
      , United States
      , 8 years ago
    • This is a great plant. I bought one last year and was so happy with it I'm trying to find another one! It is drought tolerant, withstands our cold northern climate (zone 3), is very well behaved, grows into a perfect mound covered with flowers from June until Oct., nonstop blooming. What's not to love?

      Cathy
      , Canada
      , 10 years ago
    • If you are looking for a compact plant that will withstand 10 hours or more of sun a day, this is the plant for you! It is covered in yellow flowers and continues to bloom day after day. It is both drought and heat tolerant. the information says height is 18-24" but mine are fast approaching 3 feet. I wonder if this might be due to the excessive sun it receives. I rated this a "5" because I have found nothing negative about it. If you purchase it, you will not be disappointed!

      Cathy Lehnertz
      , Wisconsin
      , United States
      , 11 years ago
    • This plant is FANTASTIC!! Our garden faces south, has no shade, and gets 10 hours of brutal sun a day. Tuscan Sun says "I love this"! Although the information says 20" high, it is 24" right now, and I suspect the extra sun might be causing the extra height. It is totally heat and drought tolerant. It is covered, and I do mean covered in yellow sunflowers. They are all yellow with no other color, and this is a nice contrast to my gaillardias, rudbeckia, and helinium which are all multi-colored. It is compact, and does spread a little, but not a lot. It has surpassed my expectations and I will be using it again next year.

      Cathee
      , Wisconsin
      , United States
      , 11 years ago
  • 32 Awards

    Award Year Award Plant Trial
    2010 Excellent Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank
    2010 Excellent Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank
    2010 Excellent Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank
    2009 Best Performer Michigan State University
    2009 Best of Breed - Summer North Carolina State, JC Raulston Arboretum
    2009 Leader of the Pack - Early Season North Carolina State, JC Raulston Arboretum
    2009 Top Performer - Late Summer Michigan State University
    2009 Top Five Michigan State University
    2009 Best of Breed - Summer North Carolina State, JC Raulston Arboretum
    2009 Top Five Michigan State University
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