Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra Sommersonne

The flowers of Heliopsis helianthoides 'Sommersonne', also known as 'Summer Sun', are bright and golden, they will illuminate the dull days of autumn with their double suns. They rise high on tall, strong, and rigid stems. This beautiful perennial is both similar in appearance and closely related to the famous sunflower, Helianthus. It is an undemanding plant, suitable for any well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Its great vigour and simplicity make it suitable for the back of borders and naturalistic compositions.

Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Sommersonne' belongs to the Asteraceae family. Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra, from which it originates, is native to North America, where it is generally found in open woodlands and tall grass prairies, less commonly along roadsides.

The cultivar 'Sommersonne' is a perennial plant with a non-spreading woody stump. It forms a spreading bushy clump, made up of numerous sturdy stems, reaching a height of up to 90cm (35in) and spreading 60cm (24in) wide. Its growth rate is moderate to fast. Flowering occurs from June to September. The inflorescence appears at the end of branched stems and consists of several heads (capitules), themselves made up of double, bright yellow ligulate flowers (the 'petals') and brownish florets forming the disk. The deciduous foliage extends to the top of the stems, it is bright green and rough, with lanceolate and dentate leaves, slightly triangular.

Trends are quite puzzling because the upright habit of these perennials, their long flowering period, and their low requirements are all keys that should open the door to every garden... but no! Yet, all specialists agree that they are excellent perennial plants. 25 years ago, Alan Bloom, a famous perennial plant breeder in England, said: "These are certainly the last plants I would get rid of if I decided to eliminate the yellow colour from the borders in my garden." Combine Heliopsis Summer Sun with other tall, easy-going perennials such as hybrid mulleins, Buenos Aires verbena, tansies, sneezeworts, and Franchet's ground cherry.