Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Sunstruck False Sunflower: Short, Variegated Gold for the Front
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Sunstruck false sunflower is a short, variegated heliopsis for smaller spaces. Its leaves are creamy white with green veining and green edges, giving a marbled cream-and-green look, and rich golden yellow daisies about 2 inches across sit just above the foliage.
At only 14 to 16 inches tall, it is a false sunflower you can put at the front of a bed without hiding everything behind it.
Sunstruck at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Heliopsis 'Sunstruck' |
| Flowers | Golden yellow, single to semi-double, about 2 inches |
| Foliage | Creamy white with green veins and edges |
| Size | 14 to 16 inches tall, 12 to 14 inches wide |
| Bloom | Six to eight weeks, starting late June to early July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; butterflies love it |
A bright edge for purple spikes
Most companions for the front of a lavender bed are silver or soft. Sunstruck is the cheerful exception. Its pale, marbled leaves catch the light all season, and the golden flowers contrast with lavender's purple spikes right behind them. Because it starts a little earlier than typical false sunflowers, its bloom overlaps well with the main lavender season, then continues after harvest.
It likes the same full sun and average, well-drained soil, and established plants tolerate dry spells. Space plants about a foot apart and keep them a little in front of the lavender crowns so the lavender still gets air at its base. The Companion Plant Planner helps you line up the edging.
Keeping it variegated and healthy
- All-green shoots: variegated plants sometimes send up plain green stems. Remove them so they do not take over.
- Deadheading: snip spent flowers, or cut them for bouquets, to keep blooms coming for six to eight weeks.
- Mildew: powdery mildew is the most common problem. Give plants airflow and water at the soil line.
- Aphids: red aphids may cluster on stems in early summer. A firm spray of water knocks them off.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan. Cut back in late fall, or leave seed heads for birds and cut back in spring.
Containers and cut flowers
Its compact size makes it a natural for combination containers on a sunny patio. In the vase it rates excellent, and short golden stems look sweet with a few sprigs of lavender in a small jar.
Plug trays or bare root
Sunstruck 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
How does it compare with older variegated false sunflowers?
It is more compact, with fuller, deeper-colored flowers that carry more petals.
Is it deer resistant?
It is moderately deer resistant, so it may be browsed when deer are hungry.
Can it go in a window box?
Yes, at 14 to 16 inches it suits boxes and containers. Use a mix that drains well.
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