PlantFiles: Beach Sunflower
Helianthus debilis

I BOUGHT 8 SMALL PLANTS IN MAY/08, CAME BACK FROM VACATION, (RAINED A LOT) (ON JULY ) AND FOUND THE WHOLE AREA COVERED WITH THIS BEAUTIFULL FLOWERS..AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
DO NOT PLANT THEM CLOSE TO OTHERS FLOWERS.

I use this in designs frequently. Just be aware that it can be invasive.

We had this plant in our garden for a couple of years. If contained with no other plants, this is wonderful plant. If you have other plants, it will grow right over them unfortunately. But, it is fantastic ground cover.

We had some kind of webbing get all over it and it died. :-( Otherwise, I'd still be growing it. Little rays of sunshine every time I looked or went in my backyard. :-)

I purchased my Dune sunflower from a native plant dealer in N. Naples back in January. It's been in the yard ever since. I find it a vigorous grower in a "normal" (non beach) environment here in zone 10. My pictured plant has already been cut back around the perimeter three times since January. My plant is no higher than 12", but it has grown very wide. It's currently taking up about a 6' circle, after being cut back.
Bee's and larger butterflies like the plant for it's nectar.
This plant is a Florida native.

Beach Sunflower or Dune Sunflower is native to the coastal dunes, coastal scrub and open, sandy areas on the coasts of much of coastal Florida, from coastal Georgia southward on both coasts throughout coastal Florida and the Keys, westward along the Gulf coast into Texas. It is an excellent salt-tolerant groundcover with very nice flowers that provides pollinating sources for some insects. It is very valuable because of its importance of holding coastal dunes in place and stabalizing them, protecting the dune and holding it in place from strong storms. It is great for a wildlife garden in coastal locations, mostly from both 9a and 9b zones southward and is possibly easy to grow. I give this plant a thumbs-up!

MORE FACTS - Often grows with other salt-tolerant, dune-stabalizing native vegetation such as sea oats and railroad-vines, also called beach morning glories. Often grows in and loves open, exposed, sunny locations. Drought-tolerant and adaptable in the landscape. It is a superb groundcover near sidewalks and pathways.