Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - February 27, 2008

From: Leominster, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source of seeds for helianthus salicifolius (Willowleaf sunflower)
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I purchase seeds for helianthus salicifolius?

ANSWER:

Helianthus salicifolius (willowleaf sunflower) is native to North America, and is distributed naturally in the Midwest from Wisconsin to Texas. It blooms in summer to late fall. According to the USDA Plant Profile on this plant, it also appears in New York State, so it would seem possible you could grow it in Massachusetts, if that was your intent.

First, try going to our Native Plant Suppliers site. There, you can search for companies providing seed by checking the box for seed, or rather, unchecking the other three. This will give you 218 possibilities in the United States. You can refine it by putting in your state and searching on that. We got the names of four companies in Massachusetts that distribute seed, but none of them had websites; however, they have addresses and phone numbers and you might try calling them. Also from that webpage, you can access a list of Associates with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center who sell seeds.

Digging a little deeper, we found a site for Easyliving Native Perennial Wildflowers which sells seed for Helianthus salicifolius (willowleaf sunflower), but says they are currently out of stock. You might check with them and see when they will be restocking. The New England Wildflower Society offers a catalog of seeds that might include the ones you are looking for. We can see why you are asking for help in finding these seeds. Sometimes difficulty in finding seed may mean the plant is considered an invasive; however, we could find no indication that this is the case with the Willowleaf sunflower. Hopefully, one of the leads we were able to find will give you a source, good luck.

 

From the Image Gallery


Willowleaf sunflower
Helianthus salicifolius

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Alternatives to non-Texas native pin cherry for Texas
February 28, 2006 - Dear Ms. Smarty Plants, I learned that the fire cherry/ pin cherry is a very hardy tree, and that it is very drought resistant. I live in zone 7, on black land, which becomes very dry in the summer. ...
view the full question and answer

Resources for a green roof project from Wayne PA
April 14, 2013 - Hello! I am researching a project to create a native wildflower/ turf mix for a green roof. I would ideally like to grow it as a sod mat, and then install it in rolls. I am currently working as an i...
view the full question and answer

Where can I find a pignut hickory tree to plant in Scenery Hill, PA?
August 30, 2010 - Where can I buy Pignut Hickory tree, 10', B&B?
view the full question and answer

Where to find non-native Thymus praecox coccineus
July 02, 2009 - Do you know where in Lansing, MI I could buy the Walk On Me plants?
view the full question and answer

Looking for a supplier for Mustang Grape vine in Austin, TX>
April 02, 2012 - I'm looking for a supplier in Austin that will have a Mustang Grape Vine seed or plant for purchase. I found Natives of Texas in Kerrville, but if you know of a supplier in Austin, that would be pre...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.