Crown Beard (Verbesina Helianthoides)

Crown Beard

Features and Characteristics

Verbesina helianthoides, commonly called crown beard, is a weedy, sparsely-flowered, clump-forming perennial that is native from Ohio to Iowa and Oklahoma south to Texas and Georgia. In Missouri, it typically occurs in rocky or dry open woods, prairies, along railroads and in thickets in southern and central Missouri (Steyermark). Bright yellow, daisy-like flowers (to 5” diameter) bloom in June atop upright, stiff, hairy, winged stems typically growing 2-3’ tall. Each flower (to 5” diameter) features 8-15 narrow, horizontally-spreading, bright yellow rays with a slightly darker yellow center disk. Additional sporadic bloom may occur throughout the summer into fall. Sessile, toothed, ovate-lanceolate leaves (2-6” long) are rough-textured above. Seeds are attractive to birds.

Genus name comes from the plants resemblance to Verbena.

Specific epithet means resembling a sunflower.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Easy to grow from seed.

Crown Beard (Verbesina Helianthoides) Requirements

Hardiness zone	5 - 8
Sun light	Full Sun
Water	Dry To Medium
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses

Not sufficiently ornamental for borders. Best naturalized in native plant gardens, wildflower meadows or cottage gardens. Plants may be difficult to find in commerce other than through sources specializing in native plants.

Crown Beard (Verbesina Helianthoides) Details

Common name	Crown Beard
Botanical name	Verbesina Helianthoides
Plant type	Herbaceous Perennial
Family	Asteraceae
Hardiness zone	5 - 8
Water	Dry To Medium
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Yellow
Flowering period	June
Height	2 - 3 Ft.
Width	1 - 2 Ft.