Rough Heliopsis (Heliopsis helianthoides) is a nectar source for Monarchs, Crescents, and other butterflies. It also attracts Clearwing moths. A native to North America, it is attractive to a variety of native bees, including leafcutter, longhorn, green sweat, bumble, small carpenter, and cuckoo bees. It may also attract hummingbirds. A perennial, it blooms bright yellow in mid to late summer, and enjoys full sun and medium to dry soil.

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In year four, here in zone 5b/6, a single Heliopsis helianthoides plant has grown into a small stand of about five plants. The original plant has finished blooming and set seeds, but the self-sown first-year plants have now begun to bloom. In this type of naturalized situation, it's possible to have blooms for many months in a very low maintenance area. The blooms provide nectar for pollinators and the seeds provide food for seed-eating birds. Goldfinch in particular are very fond of the seeds of Oxeye Sunflower. The plant is also attractive to red aphids, but it appears to weather heavy infestations without permanent damage. Cold stratification is helpful for germination, so winter-sowing the seeds would be a good method to employ.

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This is a volunteer in my yard. Almost impossible to eradicate, so I just let it be. Blooms whether I water it or not, attracts bees. Good through zone 5 xeric with no protection in a rock garden setting.

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