About Heliopsis
Burning Hearts is a showstopping, hardy perennial known for its rich bronze-purple foliage and striking golden-yellow blooms with deep red centers. A modern twist on the native false sunflower, it flowers profusely from midsummer into fall and is beloved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Strong, upright stems make excellent cut flowers, while the plant’s heat and drought tolerance make it an easy-care standout in sunny borders. Hardy in Zones 3 through 9.
When to Plant Heliopsis Roots
Plant dormant roots outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil is workable. Spring planting promotes strong root and stem development before summer flowering.
Where to Plant Heliopsis Roots
Plant your Heliopsis roots in a full sun location for the best color and flower production. Though the plant will tolerate a location that is lightly shaded, it may produce fewer blooms. Average, well-draining soil is preferred and even sandy or rocky conditions can be tolerated once established. Overly rich soil can result in floppy growth.
How to Plant Heliopsis Roots
Begin by loosening the soil 8 to 10 inches deep and mixing in compost to improve structure and drainage. Plant roots one to two inches below the soil surface, ensuring any buds or growing points are just covered with soil. Be sure to space roots 12 to 18 inches apart to allow room for mature growth and airflow. Water deeply after planting and keep evenly moist until new growth emerges.
If planting in containers, make sure the one you use is at least 12 inches deep and filled with a well-draining potting mix. Heliopsis performs well in large pots if watered consistently.
How to Care for Heliopsis
Heliopsis forms upright, branching clumps 36 to 48 tall with dark foliage and daisy-like blooms two to three inches across. It has moderate water needs, needing evenly moist soil during establishment then watering only when the soil is dry. Once mature, plants tolerate drought well.
In early spring, a balanced fertilizer can be applied lightly, avoiding excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage over flowers.
Deadhead blooms regularly to encourage continual flowering. After the first hard frost in fall, cut stems back to four to six inches tall. If you would like to leave flower stalks standing into the winter months, seed-eating birds will visit the dried seed heads for food. Stalks can then be trimmed in early spring before new growth appears.
Heliopsis is fully winter hardy and requires no special protection. It can benefit from light mulch in colder zones to protect crowns from freeze-thaw cycles.
Burning Hearts pairs beautifully with Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Coreopsis, Salvia, and ornamental grasses. It is an ideal addition to pollinator plantings, cottage gardens, or vibrant late-summer borders.