The Sunflower Variety That You Should Be Ditching (And What To Plant Instead)

Those gorgeous sunflowers you planted to brighten up your garden might be doing more harm than good. You probably saw them at your local garden center, those tall, cheerful plants with bright yellow flowers — often marketed as a way to add some height and color to your yard. Before you get too attached, you should know that not all sunflowers are created equal. One specific variety of sunflower can become a major headache and is often mistaken for the real thing, even by experienced gardeners. The false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) has a reputation for being aggressive, and it can quickly outcompete other plants in the garden.

False sunflowers can choke out plants and create a chaotic garden that is difficult to fix. Planting these can be a frustrating mistake that can leave you with a space that feels out of control. Once they establish themselves, many gardeners find they are almost impossible to remove, which creates an ongoing problem.

Despite their pretty appearance, false sunflowers have some characteristics that make them a poor choice for many gardens since they spread rapidly. They reproduce through rhizomes and self-seeding, which means a single plant can quickly become a large, dense patch. This type of growth can overwhelm smaller, more delicate plants, robbing them of their nutrients, water, and sunlight. The result is a garden where every other plant struggles to survive. This is especially problematic in smaller gardens or in beds with native plants that may not be as aggressive.

Another issue is that false sunflowers, while generally hardy, can be susceptible to some common pests and diseases. They are often bothered by aphids, and can be affected by powdery mildew and rust. The plant can also grow to be quite leggy, especially when planted in overly rich soil or in an area with too much shade. This can result in a need for staking to keep the plants from flopping over.

Fortunately, there are many beautiful alternatives to the false sunflower that offer all the beauty with none of the hassle. A great place to start is with flowers that provide bright, cheerful, daisy-like blooms throughout the summer, just like the false sunflower. Consider one of the many varieties of coneflower (Echinacea), which are incredibly resilient and come in a wide range of colors beyond the traditional purple, including yellow and orange. They have a long bloom time, are drought-tolerant, and are a magnet for bees and butterflies. They won't take over your garden and will provide beautiful blooms for many months.

Another excellent choice is coreopsis, also known as tickseed. These plants have cheerful yellow flowers that bloom from early summer into the fall. They are easy to grow, thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and are low maintenance once established. Their delicate appearance contrasts with how tough they actually are, making them a long-blooming addition to any garden.

For a nice burst of color, plant sneezeweed (Helenium). These perennials have late-season flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They are perfect for extending the blooming season well into fall, and they provide an important nectar source for migrating butterflies and other pollinators. Unlike the false sunflower, sneezeweed plants grow in clumps, so you won't have to worry about them spreading aggressively. All of these plants make better alternatives to the false sunflower, leaving you a garden that is far easier to manage.