By Scout Nelson
For the past five years, I’ve had the pleasure of hosting an annual garden tour, a tradition I look forward to every summer. Garden tours are more than just beautiful walks; they’re chances to exchange tips, spark new ideas, and discover plants to try in your own backyard.
This year, my garden inspiration is the False Sunflower, especially the variegated types. A perennial from the Aster Family, False Sunflower is simple to grow and thrives in zones 3 to 9. It prefers full sun but can adapt to a range of soil types. Best of all, it usually doesn’t attract pests or diseases.
These plants grow 3 to 6 feet tall and spread 2 to 4 feet wide, making them ideal for group planting in garden beds. They bloom early in the season and continue from June to September. As a pollinator-friendly plant, False Sunflower supports bees and butterflies. If you remove spent blooms (a process called deadheading), you’ll get even more flowers and a neat appearance. In the fall, birds like finches enjoy snacking on their seeds.
Several beautiful varieties are available. Bleeding Hearts has deep green leaves with bright orange-red flowers. Prairie Sunset features a dark red center with purple stems. Summer Sun stands out with golden semi-double flowers. For those who love unique foliage, Sunstruck and Bit of Honey have eye-catching variegated leaves.
Categories: North Dakota, General