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Perennial
Maximilian Sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
Also called: Max Sunflower
A towering prairie sunflower that lines its tall stems with gold in fall, feeding late pollinators and then a run of seed-eating birds. A back-of-border giant.
Growing & care
Spreads by rhizome into a big colony — give it room or edge it. Cut back by half in early summer for shorter, sturdier stems. Leave seed heads for finches.
Bloom season
In bloom: Aug–Oct · Colors: yellow
Where to buy
Look for maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) at: Prairie Moon Nursery, native Texas nurseries.
Sources
Range, nomenclature, and the USDA symbol above come from the federal plant record for this species. Check it yourself:
Helianthus maximiliani (HEMA2) in the USDA PLANTS Database →
Good for
Plant it with
Natives that pair with maximilian sunflower
Same conditions, same uses — species that share maximilian sunflower's growing requirements and belong in the same bed.
Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
A fine-textured prairie legume with thimbles of purple bloom ringed in orange pollen.
Fall Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
A mounding aster that vanishes into the background all summer, then bursts into a haze of blue-purple daisies in October — a lifeline of late nectar for pollinators..
Gayfeather
Liatris mucronata
Spires of feathery purple that open top-down in fall, when Monarchs are moving through and desperate for nectar.
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
The backbone grass of the American prairie, turning coppery-mahogany in fall and silver-tufted in winter.
Mexican Hat
Ratibida columnifera
A whimsical prairie flower whose drooping petals form a sombrero beneath a tall central cone.
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
The state grass of Texas, hanging its tiny oat-like seeds along one side of each stem, tinged with orange-red pollen.