Heliopsis 'Summer Night'

Heliopsis 'Summer Night': Moonlit Glow on Midnight Stems
Rich and radiant, Heliopsis 'Summer Night' brings a sultry twist to the classic prairie sunflower. Its golden-yellow blooms, touched with a warm amber hue, stand out strikingly against dramatic dark purple stems and deep green foliage. Blooming profusely from early summer through fall, this tall, upright perennial glows like fireflies in the dusk—making it a standout in sunny borders, pollinator gardens, and naturalistic landscapes.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 100–120 cm
• Spread: 60–75 cm, forming an upright, branching clump
• Flower Colour: Bright golden-yellow with an amber tone, surrounding a brown central cone
• Flowering Period: Early summer to fall
• Foliage: Deep green with purple stems; foliage may be tinged with burgundy
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of clay and drought once established

Uses and Benefits: Heliopsis 'Summer Night' offers long-season flowering, strong vertical presence, and high wildlife value. Its daisy-like blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators from early summer through frost, while its tall, sturdy stems make it ideal for the middle or back of borders. Excellent in prairie-style plantings and cottage gardens, it also works well as a cut flower—bringing its late-summer glow indoors.

Companion Plants: Pair Summer Night with Monarda 'Raspberry Wine', whose deep magenta blooms echo the dark stems of Heliopsis and offer overlapping bloom times for pollinator abundance. Add Veronicastrum virginicum, whose tall spires of pale lavender flowers provide graceful structure and textural contrast. Round out the planting with Panicum 'Dallas Blue', whose airy plumes and blue-green blades soften the vertical rhythm and enhance the late-summer palette.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment; once mature, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care. Deadhead to prolong bloom, or allow flowers to fade for seed interest and wildlife value. Cut back in late fall or early spring. Divide every 3–4 years in spring to maintain vigour and control spread.

History: A cultivar of Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra, 'Summer Night' was bred for its strong stems, darker colouring, and extended blooming. This variety adds ornamental flair to the dependable false sunflower lineage, combining prairie toughness with garden refinement in a dramatic seasonal performer.

Final Thoughts: Tall, glowing, and quietly dramatic, Heliopsis 'Summer Night' captures the mood of summer’s golden hour. It lights up the garden with layered colour, supports pollinators through the warmest months, and provides architectural height with natural ease. A prairie perennial with poise, presence, and a touch of twilight magic.