Yellow Hedysarum vs Nuttalls Sunflower - TreeTime.ca

Yellow Hedysarum vs Nuttalls Sunflower

Hedysarum sulphurescens

Helianthus nuttallii

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Yellow Hedysarum
Nuttalls Sunflower

Yellow Hedysarum is a native perennial wildflower recognized for its clusters of pale yellow to creamy-white, pea-like blooms. Flowering from late spring into summer, it adds subtle colour to grasslands, roadsides, and open woods while attracting a variety of pollinators, especially bumblebees.

As a nitrogen-fixing plant, Yellow Hedysarum enriches soils and supports the growth of surrounding vegetation. Its deep taproot and extensive root system make it drought-tolerant and effective at stabilizing soil. Grizzly bears are known to dig up and eat the nutritious taproot. Its resilience and ecological value make it well-suited for restoration, naturalization, pollinator gardens, and erosion control projects.

Nuttall’s Sunflower is a native perennial wildflower known for its bright, golden-yellow blooms. Flowering from mid to late summer, it offers a late-season nectar source for various bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while the seeds provide a fall food source for birds. The upright growth habit adds structural height and visual variety to your landscape.

Nuttall’s Sunflower can be found growing in moist to wet meadows, prairies, and open spaces. It can spread quickly via underground rhizomes, making it ideal for large-scale plantings. It is well-suited for naturalization, soil stabilization, riparian zones, and wetland restoration projects. If planting in smaller urban yards or gardens, extra care and maintenance will be required to limit its spread.

Yellow Hedysarum Quick Facts

Nuttalls Sunflower Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 2b
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: ascending to upright
Growth form: upright, colony forming
Spreading: seeds - low
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low


Flowers: creamy yellow, in dense spikes
Flowers: golden yellow, daisy-like
Bloom time: late spring to summer
Bloom time: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: sulphur hedysarum, sulphur sweet-vetch, yellow sweet-vetch
Other Names: common tall sunflower