Heliopsis helianthoides 'BURNING HEARTS'

Rough oxeye is a tough and long-lived, mid-sized or tall prairie perennial from North America. It is closely related to sunflower and bears brightly colored flowers in several shades of yellow that can brighten up any garden, just like a sunflower. No wonder its name means 'sun-like' in Greek.

Burning Hearts is a rough oxeye variety with bright golden flowers. The ray florets are rich golden yellow with mahogany red-brown centers and are composed around small discs in one or two rows. The dramatic appearance of the plant is enhanced by the dark maroon tinge of dark green leaves and almost black stems growing about one meter high. The leaves have smooth (entire) edges and are paler purple closer to the ground.

The plants form dense clumps and are suitable for all types of perennial beds. In semi-shade, they will stretch out in search for the sun and will lose their shape. I placed it in a prairie bed with butterfly bushes, crepe myrtles, and coneflowers of rather muted and pastel colors, and as soon as this plant bloomed, it immediately attracted all the attention, so you, too, should think carefully about where you want to put it to light up the bed without suppressing the other flowers.

Rough oxeye is undemanding when it comes to soil pH or quality, it only does not tolerate wet ground (heavy clay). Once established, it copes with summer drought. It propagates by short rhizomes into larger clumps and can be divided and replanted once every 3-4 years. It requires full sun and a warm location. In perennial bed with other plants of the same height, it will lose its lower leaves. In spring remove all parts above ground level. Extremely frost-resistant down to approx. -40 °C.

Last update 18-05-2023