Heliopsis helianthoides

As the day transitions to evening, smooth oxeye’s rich yellow flowerheads take on a warm, orangish aspect as though expressing an internal light. Over the course of an exceptionally long, 2-3 month bloom period, the plant is indeed a beacon to pollinators. Small bees such as the small carpenter bee and the green sweat bee collect pollen, while larger bees including bumble bees, long-horned bees, and leafcutter bees collect nectar as well as pollen.

Smooth oxeye is easy to grow in the garden and performs well in a variety of conditions, including full to partial sunlight and moderately wet to dry soil. In natural settings the plant is usually associated with woodlands, and in NE Ohio, it can be found growing in forest openings and edges. Smooth oxeye will attain a height of 4-6’ and usually displays a bushy appearance due to branching along its stems. With its lengthy bloom period and tolerance for dry soil and partial shade, smooth oxeye can bring color and floral resources to some challenging gardening situations.

References: 1,2,3,4,5,6.

Photos by Julie Slater.