SunflowerFrom blogger Sue Waltemath:
The hot winds and lack of rain in mid to late summer can take a toll on some plants. The mighty sunflower thrives in intollerable heat. Pictured is an annual sunflower that has reseeded in my garden, sorry I don't know the cultivar. There are many varieties of sunflowers. Check out helianthus, heliopsis, rudbeckia and echinacea at the nursery. Google 'Grow Native' to access the Missouri Native plant listings. Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum' is a good performer and is just about ready to bloom. My favorite Rudbeckia is "Viette's Little Suzy" . Little Suzy is about 18" tall, behaves itself and grows in a nice tight little clump. It does not have the propensity to reseed freely like it's cousin, 'Goldstrum'. My all time favorite sunflower is Helianthus 'First Light' which blooms in late September or early October. This perennial bloomed the first year I planted it and has been a reliable bloomer over the years.