The Cheery Perennial Flower That Can Handle Sizzling Summer Heat And Humidity

Gardening can be a breeze if you choose plants well-adapted to your location. In fact, one of the easiest ways to prevent summer heat from ruining your flower garden is to plant species that come with built-in adaptations to hot, humid weather, such as swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius). As a plant that is native to states in the southern, eastern, and midwestern U.S., gardeners from these regions should consider adding this heat-tolerant perennial to their yards or gardens — and as a plus, it's also a favorite of birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Also called narrowleaf sunflower after the shape of its leaves, this low-maintenance wildflower holds its blooms on branched stems and reaches up to 8 feet tall. Thriving even in the hottest, most humid parts of Florida, this plant's 2-inch flowers start to open in mid-summer, revealing yellow petals with brown centers. But don't let its boggy common name mislead you, this native plant doesn't have to be relegated only to swamps.

How to grow heat-tolerant swamp sunflower

Before you run to snatch up a pack of seeds, make sure you have the right growing conditions for this summer blooming perennial plant. Swamp sunflower prefers slightly acidic soil and though it readily grows in moist to wet conditions, it can also grow in places where the soil dries out. But don't tuck it into the darkest corner of your natural area — this wildflower produces the most blooms in full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade. Each plant needs 18 to 24 inches to spread, so space out plantings accordingly.

Gardeners who need help deciding how to use these yellow-flowered plants in the landscape should keep swamp sunflower in mind for a rain garden, bog garden, or growing alongside a pond. As a U.S. native wildflower, narrowleaf sunflower is also an excellent choice for a pollinator garden or butterfly garden, and wildlife enthusiasts should consider planting it with heat-tolerant companion plants like beebalm or aromatic aster. Since we all need garden plants that will survive summers that are getting hotter and hotter, swamp sunflower should go on your need-to-plant list if you are in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9.

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