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Autumn Gold Willowleaf Sunflower

Helianthus salicifolius 'Autumn Gold'

American Beauties®
$3458
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Provide at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure the stems remain sturdy and the flower production is maximized. In partial shade, the plant tends to stretch and may require staking to keep it from leaning toward the light.
  • Soil: These plants thrive in well-drained soil but are adaptable to both heavy clay and sandy conditions. If you have heavy clay, mix in some compost at planting time to improve aeration and prevent the roots from staying too wet during the winter months.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water deeply twice a week to help the roots establish themselves in their new home. Mature plants are remarkably drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the hottest weeks of summer can lead to the lower leaves turning brown and dropping. Think of deep soaking as a way to maintain that beautiful, willow-like foliage all the way to the ground.

Pruning Tips

This sunflower blooms on new wood, so you have a great opportunity to control its shape in late spring. Use the "Chelsea Chop" method by cutting the stems back by half in early June to encourage a bushier habit and more flower buds. This pruning acts like a reset button, preventing the plant from getting too leggy and flopping over when it begins to bloom in autumn.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as soon as you see new green shoots emerging from the soil. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers later in the season because they stimulate soft, weak growth that cannot support the weight of the flowers. These sunflowers actually prefer "leaner" soil, so one light feeding per year is usually all they need to thrive.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


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Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
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Brilliant gold and fine texture, the Autumn Gold Willowleaf Sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius 'Autumn Gold') is a compact perennial with glorious vivid blossoms! Enjoy late summer through fall blooms that smother the entire mounded plant in daisy-like flowers!

The usual coarse wide leaves you’d find on Sunflowers are instead long, narrow dark green willow-like leaves with stems that are multi-branched and very compact! The late-season flowers accompany Mums and Asters in the autumn landscape! All growing season, enjoy the mounded, bushy foliage as a backdrop for spring and summer-blooming plants.

Willowleaf Sunflower explodes in a multitude of sunny blooms to light up the late-season landscape! Grateful pollinators and even birds will enjoy these flowers! The pollinators as they search for late-summer nectar and pollen, and birds later on when the flowers go to seed, remain on the plant for the winter to give you four-season interest!

Planting and Application:

Willowleaf Sunflower stays a compact 2 feet in height and width, making it fantastic for both container and landscape use! Pot or plant with other fall blooms for bright and colorful mixed plantings, or use as bold accents when planted as a single row or en masse! Either way, they’re sure to catch the eye!

Autumn Gold has a rounded form all growing season, so it provides dark-green background texture to your garden beds and borders! But once this baby blooms look out! The masses of large flowers with golden yellow petals and a warm brown eye will have you stunned! Perfect blooms anywhere, but plant a few extra so you can bring armloads indoors for autumn floral arrangements, and still have enough for your birds and bees!

  • Brilliant Masses of Yellow Flowers
  • Warm Brown Eyes & Daisy-Like Petals
  • Long, Narrow Dark-Green Leaves
  • Fantastic Backdrop Accent & Late Season Bloomer
  • Bird-Friendly & Beneficial for Pollinators

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This Sunflower is a fantastic maintenance-free perennial that thrives in hot, dry, sunny sites! Once established it handles some drought like a pro! For best results and the most blooms, keep your plant moderate moisture, fertility and of course, plenty of sun!

  • Full Sun
  • Very Well-Drained Soil & Moderate Moisture
  • Provide Plenty of Mulch, Mulch & Pampering It’s First Winters
  • Can Be Evergreen in Mild Winters
  • Xeric & Drought Tolerant Once Established

Autumn Gold Willowleaf Sunflower is a fantastic new late-season bloomer with all the perks a modern perennial can offer! Order yours today at NatureHills.com!

Growing Zones 5-9

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