California sunflower
Helianthus californicus
Care
full sun
low
Fast, Medium, Slow, Standing
3–11ft tall
Jun-Nov
Prized
Seeds eaten raw or roasted; oil extracted from seeds
Supports up to 58 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California
Central Valley and adjacent foothills from Kern County to Sacramento County, below 2000 ft elevation in grasslands and riparian areas.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant California sunflower in full sun with well-draining soil - it tolerates fast, medium, slow, and even standing water conditions, so drainage is flexible. Space plants to account for their sprawling, gangly growth habit, which can reach 3 to 11 feet tall. Plant in fall or winter to take advantage of California's rainy season and give the plant time to establish its tough, woody root system before summer.
After Planting
Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish the plant, then transition to low water once roots are deep. California sunflower blooms from June through November, so expect flowers over a long season. The #1 mistake is overwatering once established - this is a tough native plant that thrives on low water, so dial back irrigation significantly after year one and let it rely on rainfall during the Bay Area's wet months.
Visit Calscape for more information about California sunflower
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California Species of Special Concern; monarch populations declining
Wildlife Supported
Insects
critical nectar source during fall migration staging Sep-Oct
important pollen and nectar source for managed and feral colonies
seed heads provide food resource for native pollinators and seed-eating birds
native bumblebee utilizing flower resources during peak bloom period
fungal disease peaks during wet summer conditions
fungal pathogen affecting leaves and stems throughout growing season
Birds
critical food source during post-breeding period and migration Sep-Nov
utilize seed heads in late season foraging
Mammals
young plants browsed during spring emergence in arid habitats