Name: Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’
Type of Plant: A tall perennial sunflower that’s hardy in zones 4-9.
Why I Love This: This perennial is large, showy, and a butterfly magnet. It flowers in mid to late summer for about two months, is sturdy and never needs staking, and grows well in most soils. ‘Lemon Queen’ grows 6 to 8 feet tall, so it’s the perfect plant to place along a sunny fence, in with larger shrubs, or at the back of the perennial border. Although this plant prefers full sun, mine has done well in a part-sun location…just be sure it has sunshine in mid-day when the light is strongest.
A Word to the Wise: Don’t plant this unless you have SPACE for it to spread. Allow a 6-foot diameter area for one plant. Yes, you read that right…a six foot diameter. This would be a great screening plant for a patio where you want summer privacy, or as the “walls” for a living sunflower house for kids. This is a plant to have FUN with!
I have ‘Lemon Queen’ growing next to two large shrubs: Hydrangea ‘Pinky Winky’ and Physocarpus ‘Center Glow.’ The ‘Lemon Queen’ holds its own!
