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Ashy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis) close up
Ashy Sunflower Product Information brochure
Ashy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis) close up
Ashy Sunflower Product Information brochure
Helianthus mollis

Ashy Sunflower

Seeds

Packet Out of Stock

Description

Ashy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis), also known as the Downy Sunflower, is a native, warm‑season perennial prized for its distinctive gray‑haired foliage and upright yellow‑gold blooms that reach 5–6 feet tall. Its rhizomatous root system helps control soil erosion, and while it prefers drier soils, it grows even taller in richer ground.

Blooming from July through September across hardiness zones 3–9 in the central and eastern United States, this aggressive wildflower attracts bees, butterflies, and a variety of game and non‑game birds with its abundant seeds, repels deer, and can be managed by removing flower heads before seed set to prevent unwanted spreading.

Seed Details

Weight 0.025 lbs
Dimensions 3.5 × 0.1 × 2.25 in

Range Map

Ashy sunflower native range

Details

Seeds/Packet100
Germination Code30 Day Cold Moist Stratification
SociabilityAggressive, Colonies, Self-Seeding
Sun RequirementsFull Sun, Partial Sun
Soil MoistureDry, Dry Mesic, Mesic
BenefitsBees, Birds, Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Game Birds, Pollinators
Height5-6'
USDA Zones3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Bloom ColorYellow
Bloom PeriodMay, June
Plant Spacing2-3 Feet

Seeds & Seed Mixes:

Seeds and seed mixes ship nationwide, year-round, typically within 3–5 business days. If you would like to postpone a seed mix shipment until fall, please note this at checkout.

Live Plants:

Live plants are available year-round while inventory lasts and ship to all states except California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii. After your order is placed, we’ll contact you to coordinate a spring shipping window, as many plants are overwintered and ship once dormancy breaks.

Estimated shipping for 2026 plant orders begins in mid-April, weather permitting.

If you’re looking to secure plants in advance or need larger quantities for a project, we offer contract growing options. Contact us to discuss your needs and request a quote. Additional species not listed online may also be available through contract grow.

Live Stakes:

Live stakes are available by request only and must be ordered by submitting a contact form. Ordering is open seasonally from November 1 through February 28. A minimum of 100 stakes per order is required, with at least 25 stakes per species.

Live stakes ship only to the following states: Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa.

PLS stands for Pure Live Seed, an industry-standard measure of seed quality. It reflects the portion of seed in a batch that is viable and capable of germinating.

What this means for you: when you purchase 1 lb. of PLS seed, the physical weight of the seed you receive will be slightly more than 1 lb. That’s because we account for non-viable seed and natural inert material upfront, so you receive a full pound of live, plantable seed.

Many companies sell bulk seed by total weight, which can include filler and non-viable seed. By pricing based on PLS, we make sure you’re getting exactly what you paid for—high-quality native seed with more predictable, successful germination.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our in-depth article on what PLS is and why it matters.