Heliopsis - How to Grow False Sunflower

[@amyk6403]

Ive had the same heliopsis for 12 years. I keep dividing it, scattering it's seeds, etc. it's pretty long lived. Ive had success growing these in almost full shade and on slopes.

[@growitbuildit]

That's encouraging to hear you've had some live so long. I didn't take a close survey of my patch this year. But I finally have a decent number of volunteers popping up around our backyard prairie. I'm going to have to try growing some on shady slopes. I've got a partial-open wood slope that faces North and has large competition from many invasive plants. This could be a big help in fighting that. Perhaps I will grow some in larger pots next year and see if I can get them to take.

[@amyk6403]

@@growitbuildit I literally just crumble the dried flower onto the unprepared ground in the fall and they take. Of course, you can't control exactly where they pop up. But you can always move them later.

[@nursejeri9652]

My Heliopsis gets HUGE, 6 to 6.5 feet. NOT a short-lived perennial - I dug this plant up from my friend's garden 20 years ago and it's still going strong in my garden. I do not feed or water it and it is gorgeous! I have to thin it out every few years which will give me more of these beautiful plants to spread around my other flower gardens. Just like Olga mentioned below, I don't get seedlings either but my plants increase tremendously in size. Also, I do not stake this plant. The tall stalks are strong enough to stabilize on their own. Highly recommend this plant.

[@growitbuildit]

My plants are going on 5 years, still going strong. I have had self-seeding in the area, but since it is a wildflower area I don't mind it.

[@LMLewis]

This is my favorite native flower. So pretty, well behaved, and the individual flowers last an incredibly long time. I particularly like it next to blue sage.

[@growitbuildit]

I'm trying Blue Sage this year. Perhaps that would be an appropriate place for it. It truly is a lovely flower.

[@ZerozenOnes]

I have the fire twister one, with red flowers and dark foliage, which I just fell in love with this year. Stunning and bountiful plant. Really a must grow.

[@growitbuildit]

I am not familiar with that variety - I'll have to check it out.

[@jeffburke170]

Congratulations on 100K subscribers, who'da thought. Well deserved, Joe,

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Jeff!

[@gardenwithsufian6845]

A short-lived perennial is one that only lives for 2-3 years such as gaillardia or columbine, but it sometimes varies from region to region and also based on soil conditions. Please keep these great videos coming!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you for the clarification. So, I guess my plants are about 100 in 'short lived perennial' years - haha. I knew they weren't biennials, and I figured I should be replacing them soon. Perhaps I should germinate a few more then, as I already planted out the 6-pack of seedlings I showed in the video. And thank you for the nice compliment! I'll try to maintain the quality level. It just takes a long time to get the necessary footage for a video like this. Please be patient as I don't want to put out "filler" just to maintain a schedule.

[@george200099]

Joe, you do a great job when making these videos. They are entertaining and very useful. Thanks for putting

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you George. It means a lot.

[@susankenhunt2075]

Hi, will weight in on a couple of things. I have been growing Heliopsis for 9 years. I still have my original plant and it looks like it can go on indefinitely. If it sods in too much to where it gets a dead center, then just divide it up in the fall or early spring. I am in zone 6b Central Missouri. I have experienced pretty heavy deer browse and also rabbits just love to eat the plants, they can take a tall plant and cut it off then simply eat the cut off stem like spaghetti. So, I have had to resort to fencing with chicken wire at the bottom to keep out deer and rabbits.

[@growitbuildit]

Thanks for the input. This is one plant that the deer and rabbits seem to avoid. At least for me they seem to for the most part. I've learned that plants listed as 'deer and rabbit' resistant is only a suggestion. It seems to vary by location to location.

[@19PurposebyDesgn81]

Thank you for this step by step video. I received this seed and this video is the only one that fully explained everything to us newbies.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful. You may like some of my other profiles, as I try to do them in a similar manner.

[@venicelight1320]

Gorgeous flowers! The bees, butterflies and birds will love them, thank you!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you. It's really a stunning plant. The bees love it. It seems to have a super bloom from about week 2 thru week 7/8. Then it has sporadic and random blooms until about the end of August, which is ~week 12. We really love it.

[@sevenstarsofthedipper1047]

I have a heliopsis in my garden that is more than 25 years old. I live in Zone 5.

[@growitbuildit]

My original plants are going on year 5....so maybe all the published 'references' are wrong.

[@anafindlay1696]

I need this in my backyard so it can take over, Joe that's an awesome technique!! Thanks

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you!

[@g1o2r3a4z5d6]

That's a great video of one of my favourite perennials. They also don't seem to be short-lived for me so I'm wondering if that's only a myth that has been sticking around. Anyway, they're growing in our garden in zone 10 in a Mediterranean climate and they do great in the toughest red clay soil. They did need a few more years to get established but after that, they have impressed me with their drought tolerance. They could go all the summer with temps above 30 degrees C / 90 degrees F and only sometimes get a little wilted in the sun but they bounce right back the next morning. I only water them because I love them so much and not because they actually needed any supplemental water. So I would say they are even good xeriscape plants. I grow variety scabra which is said to be even more drought tolerant and a little more compact and I just love the cultivars "Bleeding Hearts" and "Burning Hearts". They even come true from seed. They are fantastic perennials.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! Mine are all still alive too - so going onto year 5. I've had some self-seed a bit, but not overwhelming. These are awesome flowers to have around for sure. A very underrated perennial.

[@g1o2r3a4z5d6]

@@growitbuildit I also wanted to say this - it is unbelievable how this perennial is so underrated.

[@jeffburke170]

and thanks to your exuberant recommendations for false sunflower, have two flats of winter sown seedlings, waiting for the third set of true leaves to plant out. Ever consider writing a book? Rick Gray and Robert Pavlis are two local (Canadians, Z5-6, like Lansing, Ann Arbor areas) who have made big contributions. What you have that I find so valuable is images of seedlings.

[@growitbuildit]

You're not the first one to suggest that Jeff. I may have to do that someday. I certainly have spilled enough words on our website to make a book. But congrats on getting a large number of seedlings. This is a great flower, and you will get the super bloom in Spring + sporadic blooms until Fall.

[@jxarthur]

I was going to ask if you had a video about that bee hotel...and you do! Thanks for such informative and well-edited videos.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm glad you found it helpful. We do love watching our bee hotel.

[@katiecannon8186]

Love his bee hotel. I keep trying to find someone to make me one. Because I’m lazy 🥺

[@katiecannon8186]

@@growitbuildit I’d pay you to make me one. It could become your cottage industry. 😊

[@CurtisHoneycutt]

Man, your videos and content are fantastic. I often refer to your website and these videos for info on native plants (I'm in Central Indiana).

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying the info we produce!

[@kevinthomas8417]

Very good. The butterflies may be the Silvery Checkerspot. They are not Painted Ladies.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you for pointing that out - I'm always learning on butterfly and caterpillar identification.

[@johnatyoutube]

These are my favorite native plant. If you want a modified short version, Heliopsis Sunstruck has the same blooms and beautiful varigated leaves and only grows 12-18". They also attract all kinds of pollinators. If you allow them to self seed they'll keep propagating. I just break the stem in half and create a birds nest. That supports over wintering insects and allows them to self seed.

[@growitbuildit]

Good suggestions! I haven't seen that variety yet.

[@1820Rena]

Started growing this, thanks for the info on seeds 😊👍🏻👏

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome!

[@gardenlady58]

I have just recently found your channel and have been enjoying your very informative videos of native plants. Have you ever started these by the winter sowing method? I have found that it works well for a lot of things I like to grow that need cold stratification.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi, winter sowing is my preferred way of starting almost all seeds. Easiest way, and most efficient.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

I think that butterfly is a fritillary. The host plant is the native violet.

[@ripaklaus764]

I like to grow this in a small circle patch and tie it so they don't stray apart during the wind. they are great for pollinators

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - that sounds like a good idea to keep them vertical.

[@DamnImWounded]

Amazing Description Keep up the good work!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful

[@pamelah6431]

I planted plugs from Country Rd Greenhouse last fall and they grew like gangbusters. I had to stake them. Next year I'll have to do the Chelsea chop. Big bluestem is a bully plant.

[@growitbuildit]

Cutting them back works well. Or, just keep them in a crowded area.

[@pamelah6431]

@@growitbuildit I work for a native plant nursery and my boss actually had to use chemical to remove them from our prairie. They took over too aggressively. So, in a natural setting, great plant, but I'd be leery of using the straight species in a garden setting. I had a bit of trouble with Panicum getting too happy (seeding) in mine, too. I like grasses, but it seems like some are better behaved. Sporoblus hasn't moved yet... :)

[@growitbuildit]

I have one specimen in a manicured garden area. It flops each year when blooming. But surprisingly it hasn't self seeded much. Probably because it leans over the grass

[@pamelah6431]

@@growitbuildit my panicum virgatum & sorghastrum nutans both lodged this year. Crazy weather?

[@growitbuildit]

Probably, or they finally hit the point where their rootstock is really big and efficient

[@olgakuchukov6981]

I have these plants and love them. I bought a 5-pack pf seedlings 3 years ago and 2 of them turned out to be the double petal cultivar variety. One never knows with nurseries.... That butterfly is a fritillary. These plants are beset by red aphids. Also, “get ahead of the birds?” Cause they can just go to the grocery store for their food, eh? How many seeds do you need to start a plant this vigorously growing and prolifically seeding? A few seeds. Leave the rest for food for wildlife. I don’t think the birds are eating all the seeds. My seedheads remain all trough winter and next spring and I don’t have seedlings popping up either but the clumps do increase. I keep meaning to transplant and miss the window when they’re young cause they grow so fast.

[@alnbravo3159]

Goldfinch loves them

[@growitbuildit]

That would explain my lack of volunteer plants! I do get seedlings in the surrounding area, just not that many. But as you said, I do get to see birds, particularly Goldfiches eat the seeds.

[@alnbravo3159]

@@growitbuildit one time I watched the sparrow watching The goldfinch eat the seeds and when the sparrow got on the flower it just bent right to the ground it was so funny he could not figure out why he couldn't do it but The goldfinch could

[@growitbuildit]

That would make a funny video!

[@Omegadon1000]

I saved seed from last year and wanted to know if I could just plant them outside in a new bed. Also when, and if I could just scatter them out in planting. Thank You! Don in Buffalo, NY

[@growitbuildit]

You can try scattering them. If you have enough cold evenings some might germinate. Otherwise, just try the paper towel/baggy method for stratification. It works really well.

[@anetaw4730]

I love them ❤ I have them in my garden since this year. I like how they look together with my butterflies bush ( purple + yellow ). I just woul like to know how to cut the yellow flowers before winter. September too early? It's still blooming :)

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - if you leave the flowers up over winter, then birds will eat the seed. But if you want to cut them back, just wait until the plant goes dormant/dies back. This should happen as nighttime temperatures are getting fairly cold. You can deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms, even now. just cut a stalk back to the next junction of leaves.

[@angelbryan98]

What is that drilled trunk you have? What is it's purpose and how can I make one? Very nice garden by the way.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - that is our bee hotel. Different species of bees come and lay their eggs inside the holes. It is pretty fun to watch their progress in the Spring. I made a video talking about it / how I made it here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5_Xg6WphqZneNk

[@marypaul5310]

Started with seeds few months ago. Now approximately 4” in pot. Can I winter them over in garage (zone 4B), or should I plant them this fall. Thanking you in advance.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Mary - you can do either method. In ground now would probably be best, but overwintering in a garage will work just fine too.

[@staceygianoplos6381]

What time of year would you cut these back in order to have them bloom at a shorter height?

[@growitbuildit]

I wouldn't worry about the time of year so much, just when they got about 3' tall in late Spring you could probably trim down from 3' to 2'.

[@brandiisbell7746]

If you search Chelsea Chop on KZbin you'll find some really good information about cutting back tall plants early today get bushier instead of top-heavy

[@staceygianoplos6381]

@@growitbuildit Thank you!

[@MogiMann]

I see on the Plants for a Future database that the flowers are edible, have you heard of the spring shoots being used as a wild forage-able, or perennial vegetable? Like true sunflowers, other asters, or echinacea?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - I have not heard of them being eaten or used in food. The main Spring shoots or young leaves I have heard of people using is Pokeweed, but those need preparation to remove toxins. I have never done that myself, but there are other KZbin videos that detail it.

[@shellythompson9982]

Can you tell me how far I should prune my plant back in the Spring?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Brian - you can cut off any dead stalks right at the ground. New shoots should emerge (mine did a couple weeks ago).

[@sandeewright11]

Mine are about 3 feet tall (in New Jersey) can I divide them Now? They seem too compact right now and would love them to spread. Thanks for any advise

[@growitbuildit]

I've actually never divided mine, but you could probably do it now. You just don't want to do that when they are blooming or making seed. Very early Spring would be the best time.

[@sarahgracesings]

When you have all those seedling sprouts, do you weed them down to one plant per spot or just plunk the plug with several sprouted seedlings into the ground? Thank you!!!

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Sarah, believe it or not you can do either one. Personally I try to thin it down to just a few plants initially, then pot it up a couple weeks later and separate the seedlings. I've actually got a video on this topic you might find helpful - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqe6eJmbmdFonpo

[@sarahgracesings]

Awesome!! So helpful!!

[@MaryLou84]

I have these and some insects keep eating the petals completely off them and then they eat the middle too. So I do enjoy them for a very short time.

[@growitbuildit]

Wow - I've not had that happen. Have you ever been able to identify the insect? I have had aphids pretty bad, but they never did any real damage to them.

[@MaryLou84]

@@growitbuildit not really. All I could see were some weird hairy caterpillars under the flowers and then something was eating the middle from the inside and I could find “crumbs” on the leaves. Edit to add: I live in southern Ontario, Canada. I’m not sure if this matters in this situation.

[@growitbuildit]

I did a bit of research - and there are a couple of different moth larvae that feed on the leaves (Tischeriid moth), and one is a stem borer (Rigid Sunflower Borer). So, it looks like you won the pollinator lottery! At least you are feeding some insects, that will in turn feed other creatures.

[@MaryLou84]

@@growitbuildit wow, thank you for looking into it! I do enjoy all the birds, butterflies and creatures that are visiting my garden, so I am letting them feast on some plants. They don’t seem to attracted to other plants, except maybe for the rudbeckia.

[@olgakuchukov6981]

Earwigs eat flower petals. Wet years have large populations of earwigs, like this year 2021, so far. I’m in southern Vermont. Also they get set upon by big red aphids particular to this species. Dye your hands red when you squish them.

[@debconley2310]

Hi Joe I was gifted a few and was wondering if you can propagate from cuttings and or division?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Deb - they have fibrous roots, so you can probably divide them. I would suggest waiting until Spring, as you never know what will come back and what will not. Also, I've been starting to get a decent number of volunteer seedlings, so you may score a large number of free plants even if you do nothing. In regards to cuttings, I've not tried these.

[@CynthiaWord-iq7in]

What wild sunflower like these bushes, grow in Florida?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Cynthia - Heliopsis gracilis if probably the flower you are thinking of. It has common names of pinewoods oxeye or smooth oxeye. See here - www.fnps.org/plant/heliopsis-helianthoides-var-gracilis

[@elainedepiero7405]

I live in northern Ontario and have a mass border of these that are prone to powdery mildew any tips

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Elaine - I get powdery mildew on plants adjacent to my Heliopsis, but never on them. But with other plants, the common treatment is usually allowing for airflow, etc. Also a diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide can treat it, and diluted milk w/ water can help prevent it. I would go for the hydrogen peroxide, diluting it to about 3/4 cup per gallon of water. This is something you will probably have to repeat periodically.

[@alisamartin5491]

Can plant them right from seeds right into the ground? Iam in Ga middle of April wanted to wait after our last frost

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Alisa - I would plant them right now. Just rough up the soil and scatter seeds. Water in place. That would be your best bet. If you are on a slope, it may be difficult to stop from washing out.

[@frankfencepost57]

Hi Joe. Help!!!! I don't know what happened. I did the 30 day stratification. I dated and didn't touch til the 30 days. When I opened up the zip lock bag. I had little thin stems with a little yellow on the ends. I tried to separate best I could using tweezers. Many wanted to stick to paper towel even though paper towel was still wet. I finally gave up and the ones stuck to paper towel I just tried to get them to stand up and left the paper towel and put starter soil . I did bury some of them. What did I do wrong?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Jeanie - I don't think you did anything wrong. You must have very viable seed. I guess yours just decided to germinate in cold temperatures (it's not unheard of). But, they germinated, and may be ok. Monitor it, keep it in morning sun/afternoon shade and only water in the morning (prevent damp off). If you have some seed left, you could start some more. But just pull them after two weeks or so, then plant. You obviously have very viable seed.

[@caroltankersley5214]

I bought this as a plant that was already about 12in high with blooms about 2 weeks ago and planted in the ground. I live in zone 7b. Should I just cover it with straw for winter and wait for spring or is there anything else I need to do.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Carol - if your ground doesn't freeze solid for the next two weeks then you should be fine. The roots will continue to grow/attach in the soil even if the top growth has stopped. Otherwise, a mulch certainly won't hurt anything.

[@audreymitchell2940]

Hello Joe I just purchased my first heliopause PLANTS. I live in zone five. My plant was in a 1 gallon container. What size pot should I start off with? And also what type of soil?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Audrey - personally I would put it in the ground. It will reach it's full potential that way. But it does have a fibrous root system. So if you want it in a pot, I would go at least 3-5 gallon. But maybe keep it in a unheated garage or garden shed in winter, since zone 5 can get so cold.

[@audreymitchell2940]

@@growitbuildit next year I’ll send you a picture how my plant is doing in a pot. Thank you for your advice.

[@charlesgray9496]

I live in Hamburg NY. Just south of Buffalo and 2 mi. from the east end of Lake Erie. The variety of false sunflower I got is 14 to 16” high. Way shorter and bushier than the ones in your video. Lots of blooms that really last and seem almost iridescent in the right light conditions . This variety is called “sun struck” , variegated green and cream leaves. Do I treat the seeds the same as you did? I really want to plant more. They look excellent alongside red coneflowers and black mountain grass (andropogon ternarius). Any suggestions?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - I just looked it up and it is Heliopsis, so the seed treatment would be the same. But what I couldn't find out is whether Sunstruck was a hybrid or cultivar. I'm guessing it's a hybrid based on the leaves. Hybrids are often sterile or revert back to one of the parent plants. So be aware of that. But, it's worth a shot to try to start some from seed. I would do the same treatment as I showed in this video. But maybe wintersow the seeds in January just so you are sure you have plenty of stratification time. See this guide for wintersowing instruction. growitbuildit.com/illustrated-guide-to-winter-sowing-with-pictures/

[@charlesgray9496]

Growit Buildit thank you for a quick response. I will do this if there are, indeed, seeds.

[@miserable38]

My plant hasn't bloomed yet! I'm pretty sure it was blooming already this time lastcyear. It is finally getting buds. The variety that is red and yellow has been blloming alreadyvfor weeks. Not sure what up with it.

[@growitbuildit]

That is odd - Mine started blooming about a month ago, which was late, but it was still going.

[@tracyguillemette6255]

do the local bees use the log with the holes drilled in it, year after year?

[@growitbuildit]

They do. Some years it is more populated than others. I will clean it out in the Spring. Any hole that is 'open' in Feb/Mar I will spray hydrogen peroxide down the hole to sterilize it. I plan on making a new one out of cedar this year, and then using stems from plants to fill it up. That way I can provide fresh 'tubes' each year that are natural and just replace the old ones with new stems.

[@tracyguillemette6255]

Do you face the log to the east? My husband is going to make a few, we heard the holes need to be at least 6 inches deep, so the queens will lay female eggs@@growitbuildit

[@growitbuildit]

@@tracyguillemette6255 Yes, it faces South East. It gets sun from first light until mid-afternoon. And yes, 6" deep minimum. So your log should be 8" thick. And he will likely need to buy longer drill bits.

[@bhatkat]

Great video but no information about germination conditions. Seems it takes quite a while at moderate, temps, under 80F. Just harvested now in March the seed from the one plant that germinated last year. And know better than to think it will work...

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - the seeds need a cold stratification period to break dormancy. I spoke about it around the 4 or 5 minute mark. But once they have been cold stratified, and outside temps are above 70, or overnight temps approach 60, they should start germinating. If you want to plant in the summer, and stratify in the fridge, I would expect germination within a week or so.

[@bhatkat]

@@growitbuildit Harvested the seeds in the springtime and they are doing quite well, thanx for the information.

[@santonen359]

hello Sir Joe!!! I just want to clarify before I plant the false sunflowers seeds, should i do cold stratification for 30 days by paper towel method and if should i do, should i place it in the fridge or freezer??? hoping for your response. thank you

[@santonen359]

addendum i am living in a tropical country tho :)

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - I would stratify in the refrigerator. I'm not sure how these will do in a tropical country. They may continue producing flowers, although not in a showy manner. The winter dormancy is what reignites the plant to start over and give you that blast of color. I would be curious as to how they work out for you. Would you please keep me updated?

[@santonen359]

@@growitbuildit will keep you updated!! Will start doing the cold stratification this week. After a month, I will comment down here. Hope it would germinate!! ☺️

[@katiecannon8186]

@@santonen359 I’d be curious too.

[@venodghorrpade9733]

Where can I buy a few false sunflowers plants

[@growitbuildit]

For a straight native species, the best bet would be to find a nursery that deals in natives. We have an interactive map here to help you locate them - growitbuildit.com/where-to-buy-native-plants-in-the-united-states/

[@EarlybirdFarmSC]

Where do you get your seeds on this plant? I want to order some. Thanks buddy.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - I buy lots of seed from Everwilde. Their packaging is really nice, as you can seal it up when done if you wanted to save some seed for next year. See here: amzn.to/3ttgd3f Otherwise, Prairie Moon is a good source too.

[@EarlybirdFarmSC]

@@growitbuildit Got it. Thanks 🙏

[@SMElder-od5cl]

Prairie Moon sells seeds and plants.

[@jasongordon13]

Xcellent!!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Jason

[@gregoryschwarz2730]

Are there other color options?

[@growitbuildit]

I've only seen yellow

[@MDkid1]

I might have these, does it have very course leaves?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - yes the leaves are very coarse. Not as coarse as the Cup Plant, but definitely not smooth. I just added a couple of images to the end of the article here, for you to compare to. growitbuildit.com/heliopsis-helianthoides-grow-false-sunflower/

[@MDkid1]

@@growitbuildit It grows and grows forever (to about 6 feet) before it finally flowers into this yellow sunflower looking plant.

[@growitbuildit]

Cool. Perennial sunflower-like flowers are difficult to ID. I have several species. If it wasn't for bloom time n duration,

[@cathyplantlover2862]

How do I get the seeds from this?

[@growitbuildit]

To purchase? They sell them here - amzn.to/36IQA67. (affiliate link). Everwilde markets them as 'Early Sunflower'. That is this same species.

[@dreambigcarryon2235]

Do deer tend to ignore these? 🤔

[@growitbuildit]

When foliage is young, it can get browsed. But by and large they seem to leave these alone pretty well.

[@dreambigcarryon2235]

@@growitbuildit Thank you! Are yours exposed? We live on a deer path, so I have been selectively experimenting. We have an enclosed flower/veggie garden, but I an working on adding Flora to our remaining 2 acres. Always looking for ideas. I'm going to winter sow these false sunflowers. 🙏

[@growitbuildit]

Hi again - mine are very exposed. Sometimes (though not all the time) I spray the back area with liquid fence. I mainly do this on plants deer prefer. But I can tell you that one year I tested my plants by not spraying at all, and every single False Sunflower survived. My yard backs up to a forest that has a decent deer population. We see them daily in the Winter (no foliage). If nothing else, spray the plants with liquid fence. It really works. You have to keep up with it and reapply after rain, but it will truly keep the deer away. See here (aff link) - amzn.to/3kL8p8n

[@dreambigcarryon2235]

@@growitbuildit Thank you! I will experiment. I don't think we have access to Liquid Fence in Canada, but we have a product by Bobbex that may be equivalent. I'll look into it!

[@growitbuildit]

It basically smells like rotten eggs when you apply it, but you won't smell it in 24 hrs.

[@ericshane491]

Uhh it's native to Rhode island which is new England bruh.. didn't forget about us 🎉😂❤

[@growitbuildit]

You got it!

[@psecdocumentary]

These are NOT short lived. I've had mine for over a decade and they reproduce invasively.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - I agree! I was quoting reference material, and my plants were 3 years old at the time of filming (I think). But I'm going on year six, and they are all going strong.

[@uboobly]

Very aggressive, will spread, hardy player of the Prairie

[@growitbuildit]

I've had volunteers from self seeding, but it hasn't taken over by any means in my meadow or flower beds. I could see the potential though.