{"product_id":"maximilian-sunflower-helianthus-maximiliani","title":"Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMaximilian Sunflower \u003cem\u003e(Helianthus maximiliani)\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaximilian Sunflower is the prairie's golden giant — rising 6 to 10 feet tall in late summer, its arching stems lined with dozens of bright yellow sunflowers that track the sun from dawn to dusk. Named for Prince Maximilian of Wied, who documented it during his 1832 expedition through the American West, it is one of the most spectacular and ecologically productive native wildflowers in North America.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBotanical Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asteraceae (Daisy family)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Central North America from Manitoba to Texas; cultivated throughout the South including Louisiana; naturalized in many areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–10 feet tall; spreads by rhizome to form colonies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e August–October\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable; tolerates clay, loam, and dry conditions; drought-tolerant once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePrairie Movement \u0026amp; Ecological Role\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaximilian Sunflower's towering height and late-season bloom make it one of the most important plants in the prairie movement strip — its tall stems swaying dramatically in the wind, its dozens of flowers providing a landing platform for monarchs, swallowtails, bumblebees, and specialist sunflower bees (\u003cem\u003eMelissodes\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSvastra\u003c\/em\u003e species). Its seeds are a critical food source for migrating songbirds including warblers, sparrows, and finches. Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains harvested its seeds as a food source and used its roots medicinally.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIn the Prairie Movement Strip\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of the \u003cem\u003ePrairie Movement Strip | Wind, Pollinators \u0026amp; Motion\u003c\/em\u003e collection at Big Mamou Enterprises, Maximilian Sunflower is the prairie strip's golden tower — tall, sun-tracking, and alive with pollinators and birds through the entire fall season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Big Mamou Enterprises","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49765840453872,"sku":null,"price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0824\/7171\/5056\/files\/image_208fc4a1-b38d-4d24-af13-4587a2539570.png?v=1779823792","url":"https:\/\/realtimecajun.com\/products\/maximilian-sunflower-helianthus-maximiliani","provider":"Big Mamou Enterprises","version":"1.0","type":"link"}