Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Oxeye Daisy, Perennial Sunflower

Brand:  Darwin Perennials

Description:

A real showstopper featuring stunning, orange-red and gold flowers over contrasting dark purple foliage; leave standing over winter so songbirds can feast on the seeds; prefers moist, well-drained soil but can survive drought

Ornamental Features

Summer Eclipse False Sunflower has masses of beautiful orange daisy flowers with scarlet overtones, coppery-bronze eyes and gold tips at the ends of the stems from early summer to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive serrated narrow leaves remain grayish green in colour with hints of deep purple throughout the season. The dark red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Summer Eclipse False Sunflower is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Summer Eclipse False Sunflower is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Summer Eclipse False Sunflower will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. The flower stalks can be weak and so it may require staking in exposed sites or excessively rich soils. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.