Product Description
Heliopsis h. 'Touch of Blush' PPAF CPBRAF - Proven Winners® (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: False Sunflower
'Touch of Blush' gains its name from the pink tones that appears on new foliage. This "blush" coloration nicely accents the bright white variegation of the dark green leaves. Semi double yellow flowers have multiple layers of overlapping petals. Compared to the flowers of fellow variegated introduction 'Bit of Honey', this variety has slightly smaller flowers and dark cones instead of gold. Compared to 'Tuscan Sun' and Tuscan Gold™, this variety is more compact. Like other variegated Heliopsis, 'Touch of Blush' is hardy to zone 4.
Heliopsis have traditionally been an excellent tall perennial for the middle or back of the flower border. It has a bushy, well-branched form and glossy, deep green, triangular leaves - a real workhorse in the garden! Use this plant in combination containers, as a cut flower, or to attract butterflies to your garden.
Heliopsis can be grown in either full sun or part shade, but it performs much better in full sun. Soil of average fertility is preferable. When grown in moist, rich soil, it tends to need staking. Growth will be strongest in soil with average fertility and moisture.
Deadheading spent flower heads will extend the flowering time and prevent self-seeding.
Height: 18.0-20.0 Inches
Spread: 16.0-20.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Yellow/Gold Shades
Foliage Color: Variegated
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average Water Needs
Average Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer - Late Summer
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Attractive Foliage, Specimen, Native to North America
Heliopsis helianthoides 'Touch of Blush' is a cheerful and eye-catching perennial that brightens up the garden with its sunny yellow flowers and uniquely variegated foliage. It is a standout variety that offers both visual interest and easy care. Here is a closer look at what makes it special, along with essential information for successful cultivation:
What Makes 'Touch of Blush' Special:
- Unique Variegation: The most distinctive feature of 'Touch of Blush' is its striking variegated foliage. The leaves are a vibrant green with creamy white margins and a touch of pink on the new growth, giving them a lively and dynamic appearance.
- Sunny Yellow Flowers: It produces an abundance of cheerful, semi-double, golden yellow flowers with dark brown centers. The overlapping petals create a lovely, textured effect.
- Compact Habit: It maintains a compact and bushy habit, typically growing 18-20 inches tall and 16-20 inches wide, making it suitable for smaller gardens, borders, and containers.
- Long Blooming Period: It blooms reliably from mid-summer to late summer, providing a long-lasting display of color.
- Attractive to Pollinators: The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to any pollinator garden.
- Easy Care: Heliopsis are known for being low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.
- Native Plant: It is native to North America, making it a great choice for gardeners looking to incorporate native plants into their landscape.
Description:
- Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Height & Spread: 18-20 inches tall and 16-20 inches wide
- Bloom Time: Mid-summer to late summer
- Flower Color: Golden yellow with dark brown centers
- Foliage: Variegated green and white with a touch of pink on new growth
Native Habitat:
- Heliopsis helianthoides, commonly known as false sunflower or oxeye sunflower, is native to North America, ranging from eastern Canada to Florida and west to New Mexico. It typically grows in prairies, meadows, and open woods.
Landscaping Design Tips:
- Borders: Its compact size and upright habit make it a great addition to the front or middle of borders, adding a pop of color and texture.
- Mass Plantings: Plant several together for a stunning display of yellow blooms and variegated foliage.
- Containers: Its compact size makes it suitable for container gardening, allowing you to enjoy its beauty on patios or balconies.
- Cut Flower Gardens: The long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
- Meadow Gardens: It blends beautifully in meadow gardens, adding a touch of cultivated charm to a naturalistic setting.
- Companion Planting: Combine it with other perennials that complement its yellow flowers and bloom time, such as purple coneflowers (Echinacea), Russian sage (Perovskia), or ornamental grasses.
Planting and Care:
- Planting:
- Plant in spring or fall.
- Choose a location with full sun to partial shade (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight is ideal).
- Prefers well-drained soil.
- Space plants about 18-24 inches apart.
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the crown is level with the ground.
- Fill the hole with soil and firm gently.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Care:
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer.
- Deadhead spent flower heads to encourage continuous blooming.
- Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
With its unique variegated foliage, cheerful yellow flowers, and easy-care nature, Heliopsis 'Touch of Blush' is a delightful addition to any garden. By following these planting and care tips, you can enjoy its beauty and attract pollinators to your yard for years to come.
Mature field grown roots shipped bare root.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
