Helianthus salicifolius 'Autumn Gold' (Willowleaf Sunflower)

A perennial garden selection of a species native to the central United States, this sunflower forms a compact, rounded mound of fine, narrow foliage. Golden yellow sunflower heads with dark centers cover the branched shoots in autumn. Developed by Darwin Perennials, the selection reaches about two feet tall, providing a shorter garden form of the normally tall willowleaf sunflower. Its late flowers extend the seasonal display in borders and perennial gardens. Photographed in Ecuador.