How to Plant, Grow, and Care For ‘Tuscan Sun’ Heliopsis

Sunflowers decorate the summer garden in grand fashion. From the compact and small to the towering and tall, their warm and sunny faces provide food for pollinators, and the leftover seed heads will feed the birds in winter. 

Could it be that the marvel of sunflowers lies in the brevity of their blooms? Do we love them so much because we know they won’t last? I would wager to say no, because perennial ‘Tuscan Sun’ Heliopsis sunflowers are every bit as lovely and happy, and they stick around!

‘Tuscan Sun’ Heliopsis Overview

Plant Type Herbaceous perennial Family Asteraceae Genus Heliopsis Species Helianthoides	Native Area North America Exposure Full sun Height 12-18″ Watering Requirements Low to moderate	Pests & Diseases Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, powdery mildew, rust, leaf spots Maintenance Low Soil Type Moist, well-drained, adaptable Hardiness Zone 3-9

What Is ‘Tuscan Sun’ Heliopsis?

Heliopsis ‘Tuscan Sun’ is a compact perennial sunflower, often nicknamed oxeye sunflower or daisy. It’s a happy little plant that forms lush mounds of foliage and flowers that last through the summer and fall months. They are easy-going and eye-catching, and a must for any sunflower lover. 

Characteristics

Heliopsis is a relative of the true sunflower, Helianthus. The flowers are similar in appearance but smaller, like a daisy. ‘Tuscan Sun’ has golden yellow, two to three-inch blooms with an orange center and petals that reflex slightly when fully open. The flowers stand slightly above the shrubby foliage on slender stems and nearly obscure it when in full bloom. 

The foliage is dark green with serrated margins. It forms a small to medium-sized mound, making it perfect for filling beds and adding to planter arrangements. This short-lived perennial thrives in a wide range of conditions and is perennial in zones 3-9. It’s quite an impressive plant!

Native Area

One of the best parts of Heliopsis is that it’s native to much of North America, so if you’re a native gardener, this one is likely to work for you. It grows in prairies, fields, and open woodland areas, and you might see it along the roadside. You can find the ‘Tuscan Sun’ cultivar in nurseries and big box stores, and you can find seeds from select retailers.

Planting

Spring and fall are the best times to plant your ‘Tuscan Sun,’ heliopsis seeds. These are easy to grow and care for, and create a bold pop of color to any part of the garden that needs livening up.

This is a fast grower that grows excellently from seeds, so there’s no reason to plant sparingly; you’ll have plenty to go around. If you plant in the spring, cold stratify them in the refrigerator for about a month before planting. You can start your seeds indoors about a month to six weeks ahead of your last frost date, and transplant after that date. 

If you direct sow these seeds, plant them 18″-24″ apart, to give your plants space to grow into. Barely cover them with soil, a bit of light will help them to germinate. They take about three to four weeks to germinate in soil that is 65°F (18°C), so be patient. 

You can also directly sow these seeds in the fall and forgo cold stratification. They will get the cold they need during the winter, and then pop up in spring as soon as the soil warms up.

How to Grow

It doesn’t take any particular tricks to get these growing. They appreciate a sunny space and need periodic watering until they establish roots. Once established, they are drought-tolerant.  

Light

Like other sunflowers, this one performs best in full sun conditions. Near the southern part of their range, a bit of shade in the afternoon will keep them looking fresh and prevent that midday wilted appearance. In cooler climates, you can give them as much sun as possible. 

These are fairly flexible plants that tolerate partial shade, so between four and six hours daily. However, they may become leggy from reaching for the light, and then they are more likely to flop over when they flower. 

Water

Like most plants, you’ll want to keep the soil moist while they are germinating and until they establish roots.  Though they are drought tolerant, they will look their best with more consistent watering. Mature plants will rarely need extra watering, but in times of drought, don’t let them go dry for too long. It will inhibit growth and flowering. 

Soil

When it comes to soil, ‘Tuscan Sun’ and other varieties of heliopsis are flexible. They prefer average soil that is well-drained, moderately good at holding moisture. 

In terms of composition, you can grow this plant in most soil types. Naturally, loamy soil is ideal, but this plant tolerates all types, including clay-heavy, sandy, and poor soil.

Temperature and Humidity

In terms of climate, temperature, and humidity, this truly is an easy-going plant. It’s cold-tolerant enough to overwinter in zone 3, and heat-tolerant enough for the summer heat in zone 9. 

Heliopsis is also tolerant of high humidity. That doesn’t mean that it won’t thrive without humidity, but it tends to handle a range of moisture levels in the soil and the air quite well. 

Fertilizing

‘Tuscan Sun’ will benefit from regular fertilizing, and I recommend a balanced, slow-release formula. Organic, slow-release fertilizers are better for the soil, adding nutrients slowly and fostering biodiversity.

In early spring, as soon as you see some growth, give an application of a balanced formula such as a 10-10-10. Rich soils don’t need extra fertilization after this, and those plants grown in the ground will flourish regardless of soil quality. These are tough perennials. 

Maintenance

Regular deadheading will help your plant to produce more blooms, as removing the old flowers redirects energy back into the plant. This energy goes toward stronger roots and more flowers. 

At the end of the season, if you want to prevent self-seeding, go ahead and give the entire plant a trim to remove the potential seed heads. Heliopsis will self-sow if allowed to go to seed in the fall. If you want this, simply allow it to do what nature intended. 

In the spring, when foliage comes back, but before buds form, you can give an all-over trim to control the size and thicken up the foliage. May is a good month for pruning, as it gives it time to set buds and bloom in mid-summer. If you wait longer, it will delay flowering. 

Propagation

It’s most common to propagate from seeds, since it’s easy and economical. If you have established plants, however, it is possible to propagate by division and with cuttings.

Cuttings

Propagation from cuttings should take place in late spring, when the plant is putting on new growth, but not yet flowering. Select healthy branches with no flowers or buds, and have at least four to six inches of new growth to work with.

Make your cuts directly below a node, using a sharp pair of scissors or a knife. Clean cuts are best, always. Remove all but a few leaves at the top of the cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to expedite the process. 

Fill nursery pots with moist, well-draining potting mix. If you need to improve drainage, add some perlite to the mixture. Bury the bottom two inches of your cutting in the soil and keep it moist but not soggy.

It’s helpful to cover the top of the pot with plastic to create a mini greenhouse. Humidity will help keep your cutting alive while it roots. Place your cuttings in bright, indirect light.

Roots should develop in about three to four weeks, and you can tell when that happens by gently tugging the stem. If there is resistance, you have some roots forming. Wait until the cutting has some new growth before transplanting it into the garden. 

Division

Division is less common, and more difficult, but it is possible, and if you have clumps that you need to thin out, it is the way to go. Divide your heliopsis in early spring just as new growth appears, or in the fall before it enters dormancy. 

Gently dig around the plant just outside the roots to loosen the soil. Make sure to dig down below the roots so that you don’t tear them up in the process. Pull up the root ball and gently loosen the soil, removing enough that you can see the crown of the plant. 

Use a sharp knife or tool to cut the roots into sections, making sure that each section has both roots below and shoots above. Plant your divisions immediately, spaced about a foot and a half apart, and water them in.

Care for your divisions as you would young plants, by watering regularly and deeply to help them establish roots. 

Common Problems

‘Tuscan Sun’ heliopsis is a sturdy plant and has few issues to contend with. There are a few fungal diseases that could turn up, and of course, they can attract some of the more common garden pests. 

Pests

Aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, and spider mites are all known to come for heliopsis. The most common and problematic is everyone’s favorite nuisance insect, the aphid. We’ve all had to contend with them at one point or another, and this plant is not exempt. 

Introducing or attracting beneficial insects is the best way to deal with pest infestation. If this fails to rectify the problem, use a strong stream of water from a hose. If necessary, follow up with an insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Try not to treat with any chemicals while the plant is in bloom, as it will negatively impact the pollinators. 

Diseases

Most disease issues for heliopsis are fungal in nature and result from poor air circulation and overwatering. Overwatering and high humidity can cause powdery mildew to form on the leaves of your plants. Fungicides are effective, but removing the leaves is a better strategy. 

During the rainy season, some leaf spot diseases may crop up on your plants. They will typically appear as reddish-brown spots with gray or whitish centers. Remove the affected foliage and improve air circulation. 

Consistent overwatering can result in root rot, which is not curable. You won’t usually know it’s happening until it reaches the foliage, which is usually too late. However, if you see it happening, you may be able to mitigate the damage by easing off your watering schedule. You can also dig them up, remove the affected portions of the root, and replant as you would when dividing. 

Frequently Asked Questions