Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Sunny Disposition False Sunflower: Golden Pompoms Mid-Border
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Sunny Disposition false sunflower forms a neatly rounded plant covered with ball-shaped golden yellow flowers, 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. The blooms range from double to semi-double, with layers of petals around a small golden center, so they look more like pompoms than daisies.
The leaves are variegated with light cream, which keeps the plant bright even when it is not in flower.
Sunny Disposition at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heliopsis 'Sunny Disposition' |
| Flowers | Golden yellow, double to semi-double, 2 to 2 1/2 inches |
| Foliage | Green with light cream variegation |
| Size | 24 to 28 inches tall, 26 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Six to eight weeks from early July, peaking late July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
Round flowers, slim spikes
Good companion planting is often about shape as much as color. Lavender gives you narrow, upright spikes; Sunny Disposition answers with fat golden balls. Put them side by side in full sun and the contrast does the design work for you. Gold and purple are complementary colors, too, so each makes the other look more saturated.
It handles the same site as lavender: full sun and average, well-drained soil, with established plants tolerating dry spells. At 24 to 28 inches, it fits the middle of the border, just behind or between lavender groups. Leave space around each lavender mound so its base stays dry and airy. Try the arrangement in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care notes
- Water: regular watering the first season, then only in long dry spells.
- Deadheading: snip spent flowers, or simply cut bouquets, to keep it blooming for six to eight weeks.
- Stems: strong stems resist flopping, so no staking is needed.
- Disease: noted for powdery mildew resistance; occasional rust or leaf spots.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan. Cut back in late fall, or leave seed heads for birds and cut back in spring.
In containers and bouquets
Its rounded, bushy habit suits combination containers. Pair a pot of Sunny Disposition with a separate pot of lavender on a sunny patio for the same effect in less space. As a cut flower it rates excellent, and the golden pompoms last well in a mixed jar with lavender stems. The Cut Flower Planner has more ideas.
Plug trays or bare root
Sunny Disposition is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and as a bare root plant. See each product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray and bare root orders.
Frequently asked questions
Does the variegation fade?
The cream markings vary from leaf to leaf, but they give the plant a light, bright look through the season.
Do butterflies visit?
Yes. It suits butterfly and pollinator gardens.
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