Japanese name: ヘリアンサス モリス Scientific name:Helianthus mollis
[Overview]
A perennial 60–150 cm tall, growing in dry grasslands and by roadsides in its native range.
The whole plant is tinged with gray.
It spreads by extending underground stems.
Leaves are simple and alternate, ovate and 15 cm long, with very fine teeth along the margin or entire.
The stem tips bear 1–15 flower heads.
The flower heads consist of ray florets and tubular florets; there are 15–30 yellow ray florets around the edge.
There are more than 75 deep yellow tubular florets clustered in the center.
The fruit is an achene.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
As long as the site is sunny and well drained, it grows well in most places, even if left alone.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Too much fertilizer makes it grow large and lush and fall over easily, so go light on fertilizer; for plants in the ground, basal fertilizer is enough and nothing more is particularly needed.
For potted plants, a small amount of slow-release fertilizer may be placed on the soil in spring and autumn, depending on how it is growing.
Set up stakes suited to its height to keep it from falling over.
Pests and diseases include aphids, and powdery mildew may appear if ventilation is poor.
