Description

Part sun, partial shade, Zone 3

Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Summer Nights’

Heliopsis is an excellent perennial and is used as the tall flowers that are in a flower border. It is known for being bushy, well-branched, and with glossy, deep-green triangular leaves. Also loved because of its status as being a real workhorse in the garden. They are also known by their common name: False Sunflower. Heliopsis are relatively low maintenance. Good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard. Recommended to be used in mass planting, general garden use, and for naturalizing and woodland gardens. This is a native plant that is extremely benefical to pollinators.

Introduced by North Creek Nurseries, in 2004. The ‘Summer Nights’ variety is an excellent cultivar that will produce bright golden yellow, daisy-like flowers with a mahogany eye atop dark reddish-purple stems. The stems of the flower are tall and make for excellent cuttings. It has an upright and clumping growth habit. The Summer Nights will flower for up to 8 weeks beginning in midsummer. The leaves of this plant are serrated and oval in shape and remain green in colour throughout the season. It is most effective when planted in groupings.

The Summer Nights will grow to be about 5 ft at maturity, and with a spread of about 3 ft. If you are growing this plant as an individual plant it should be spaced 20 inches apart from other plants. It tends to be a leggy plant. Flower stalks of this plant can be weak and so may require staking in soils that are too rich or are exposed sites. It grows at a fast rate. It does best in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to both dry and moist locations. It is not particular as to soil type of pH. This is a selection of a native North American species.