Ox-eye daisy (Heliopsis 'Helhan' LORAINE SUNSHINE)
Heliopsis 'Helhan' LORAINE SUNSHINE, or Ox-eye daisy, offers showy yellow blooms from July to frost on low-maintenance plants.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Ox-eye daisy, known scientifically as Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE, brings reliable, cheerful color to the garden from mid-summer right through to the first hard frost. This herbaceous perennial is prized for its stiff, upright habit, which often negates the need for staking, unlike some of its taller relatives. Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE distinguishes itself with handsome variegated foliage, providing visual interest even when not in bloom.
As a member of the Asteraceae family, this plant shares structural similarities with sunflowers (Helianthus), offering bright, rayed yellow flower heads that are excellent for fresh cutting. Its low maintenance requirements and tolerance for less-than-ideal conditions make it a cornerstone for stable perennial borders and mixed beds. Gardeners selecting Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE benefit from a plant that thrives in full sun and poor soils, demanding little once established.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-2.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to frost
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE establishes easily when planted in average, well-drained soil during the spring. While it prefers full sun for the best flower production, it can tolerate some light shade; however, too much shade encourages legginess, potentially requiring support for the stems. This perennial thrives in a wide range of soils, including poorer media, and tolerates clay soil readily.
Watering should be consistent, especially during the initial establishment period. Though the Ox-eye daisy handles drought well once mature, regular watering will ensure the longest and fullest bloom sequence throughout the hot summer months. Fertilization is generally unnecessary, given its tolerance for poor soils.
To encourage prolific blooming from your Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE throughout the season, be sure to deadhead spent flowers regularly. This simple maintenance task effectively extends the lengthy bloom period from July until the fall frost arrives. Minimal other pruning is required beyond general cleanup in early spring.
Landscape Uses
The primary value of Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE lies in its exceptional longevity of bloom combined with its attractive foliage pattern. It is an excellent anchor plant for the middle or back of the perennial border, providing vertical interest and lasting bright yellow color where sun exposure is maximized. Because it offers such sturdy yet manageable height, it integrates well with later-season bloomers.
Furthermore, this plant is highly recommended for the cutting garden. The single, daisy-like flowers make wonderful additions to summer bouquets, and they hold up well in arrangements. Consider planting masses of the Ox-eye daisy near pathways where the variegated leaves can be appreciated up close, or use groups of three to five plants to anchor corners in sunny perennial beds.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Heliopsis is a genus of 12 to 13 species of herbaceous perennials from North America, with the genus name derived from Greek words meaning sun and resembling, referencing the yellow flowers. ‘Helhan’, marketed often as LORAINE SUNSHINE, is noted for its variegated green and white leaves and produces single, daisy-like, yellow flowers up to 3 inches wide atop stiff stems. This variety features a lengthy summer-to-frost bloom time and is closely related to the true sunflower.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Erosion
- Clay Soil
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
Generally, the Ox-eye daisy exhibits high resistance to major garden pests and diseases, which contributes to its reputation as a low-maintenance star. Gardeners should primarily remain vigilant for minor incursions of aphids, particularly during dry spells or when the plant is stressed. If aphids appear, standard insecticidal soaps or neem oil applications are usually sufficient to control the population quickly without harming the plant’s overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE suitable for?
This reliable perennial is very cold-hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 3 through 9.
How large does Ox-eye daisy grow?
When mature, Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE typically reaches a height of 2 to 2.5 feet and spreads modestly between 1 and 1.5 feet wide.
When does Ox-eye daisy bloom?
You can expect consistent flowering from this variety starting in July and continuing reliably until the first seasonal frost.
What sun exposure does Ox-eye daisy need?
For optimal performance, Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE requires full sun, though it will tolerate a little light shade.
Conclusion
The Ox-eye daisy, specifically the variegated cultivar Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE, provides unmatched value through its long flowering season and robust constitution in tough conditions. Its ability to handle drought and poor soils while offering showy yellow blooms makes it an indispensable perennial. Ensure you plant this variety in a sunny spot compatible with USDA Zones 3-9 for enduring summer color.
Companion Planting
When integrating Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE into your landscape, select companions that share its preference for full sun and average to dry soil. Plants that bloom later in the season, such as asters or Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), pair nicely, providing an extended wave of color after the Ox-eye daisy begins to wane toward autumn. Shorter, mounding plants like creeping sedum or low ornamental grasses can effectively contrast the vertical structure of the two-foot-tall Heliopsis.
Design Ideas for Sunny Borders
The bright yellow of the Ox-eye daisy works well to illuminate dark corners of the garden or integrate into a “hot colors” border featuring reds and oranges from plants like coreopsis or blanket flower (Gaillardia). Because Heliopsis ‘Helhan’ LORAINE SUNSHINE features coarse, serrated foliage, contrast it with plants that possess fine or lacy textures, such as ferns placed in partial shade at the border edge, or delicate upright spikes like salvias in the full sun areas. Its mid-height places it perfectly behind shorter groundcovers and in front of taller background shrubs or sunflowers.
