Heliopsis 'Tuscan Sun'

Heliopsis 'Tuscan Sun': Sunflower Cheer, Shrunk to Fit

'Tuscan Sun' brings the villa vacation to your backyard, minus the airfare. Compact golden daisies that stand up straight without a stake and shrug off heat waves. CIAO, STAKES. CIAO, WATERING CAN.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Heliopsis helianthoides 'Tuscan Sun'
• Common Name: False Sunflower, Perennial Sunflower
• Series: A Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
• Spread: 50–60 cm (20–24 in)
• Flowers: Golden yellow daisies with darker golden centres
• Bloom Time: Summer into fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Green, on a compact, upright clump
• Features: Heat tolerant, no staking needed, good cut flower
• Plant Patent: USPP 18,763

Where to Plant: Its compact size lets it go where taller plants of its kind can't: the front or middle of a border, small yards, mass plantings and big containers. It also earns a place in a cut-flower bed.

Companion Plants: Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii' rises behind 'Tuscan Sun' with blue flowers from August to October on 120 to 150 cm stems. Veronica 'Pink Candles' adds pink spikes at the front from June to August. Campanula rotundifolia brings dainty violet bells from June to September. This is an easy mix for full sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in average, well-drained soil that's acidic to neutral. Give it average water. It tolerates somewhat dry soil once established. Deadheading may bring more flowers but isn't required. Good air circulation helps keep the leaves healthy in humid summers. Cut back in late fall or early spring. A winter mulch helps prevent frost heaving in the freeze-thaw cycles of a Canadian spring. Divide in spring every few years if the clump gets crowded.

History: 'Tuscan Sun' is a compact selection of Heliopsis helianthoides, a false sunflower native to eastern and central North America, including Ontario. It earned awards in 2009 and 2010 trials at the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State, the University of Georgia and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank.

Final Thoughts: Plant it in the hottest spot you've got and pour yourself something cold. It's got this. VACATION MODE: PERMANENT.