Family: Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Helianthus (hee-lee-AN-thus) (Info) Cultivar: Red Beard Category: Annuals Height: 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) Spacing: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm) Hardiness: Not Applicable Sun Exposure: Full Sun Danger: N/A Bloom Color: Gold (Yellow-Orange) Bloom Time: Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall Mid Fall Foliage: Good Fall Color Leathery-Textured Other details: May be a noxious weed or invasive This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season This plant may be considered a protected species; check before digging or gathering seeds This plant is resistant to deer Flowers are good for cutting Flowers are good for drying and preserving Soil pH requirements: 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) Propagation Methods: By dividing the rootball Seed Collecting: Seed collecting is not recommended for this plant; may not come true from seed

By mystic

Gardeners' Notes:

Rating Author Comment Positive gardenwife On Oct 13, 2005, gardenwife from Newark, OH (Zone 5b) wrote: This plant can be an oddity in the garden at times, but it's always welcome. It's colorful and robust and does best if planted bare feet, err, bare root. Thrives with a daily dose of blue soda. Positive roadrunner On Oct 13, 2005, roadrunner from Hereford, AZ (Zone 8a) wrote: This plant is a very invasive plant...it invades your heart and soul...it has wonderful "off-shoots" too. If I could only have one plant on a deserted island...this is the plant I would pick....it is very entertaining. Jo Positive TuttiFrutti On Oct 14, 2005, TuttiFrutti from Spokane Valley, WA (Zone 5b) wrote: While I've only had limited acquaintance with this cultivar for a year or so, it seems to prefer a straw/hay mulch for bedding material and is quite forgiving of volunteers that may sprout up in its shadow. It also seems to grow even more robust when sharing its garden space than as a speciman plant. Positive justmeLisa On Oct 14, 2005, justmeLisa from Bayou Blue, LA (Zone 9b) wrote: wow, what can I say about this plant that hasn't been said. This plant, along with it's companion plantings, will provide years of enjoyment. Bright and sunny, the Shoeflower will always make you smile. If you treat it with care, kindness and little bit of cajun food it will flourish. If you are lucky enough... just when the Shoeflower is at it's peak...you can listen real close and with a soft breeze riding off of its leaves, you can hear a story. The origin of this plant is unknown.... Positive bluekat76 On Oct 14, 2005, bluekat76 from Ijamsville, MD (Zone 6b) wrote: All gardens deserve this flower. I hope one day I will be able to experience a Shoeflower! Positive CountryGardens On Oct 14, 2005, CountryGardens from Lewisville, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: Not sure if a Shoeflower could survive this far north. It would be a welcome addition to a summer garden here. I have not witnessed it personally, but all I hear about it is definately positive. If a plant can give wisdom, this is the one to watch. Positive MistyMeadows On Oct 14, 2005, MistyMeadows from Over and Above, KY (Zone 7a) wrote: I have heard that this plant has been in the area, we are waiting for seed to arrive here. Appears to be a great conversational plant and worthy to be the hit of a party. :) Positive Georgiaredclay On Oct 15, 2005, Georgiaredclay from Lagrange, GA (Zone 7a) wrote: I will trade all of my plants for just one of these shoe plants. If I had one I wouldn't have time to garden anyway. I would be listening and laughing so much I wouldn't get anything done.