Summer sunshine for summer and fall. You can eat the tubers like Jerusalem artichoke (be careful, not too much!).

As tough as it is beautiful, they bloom from August to frost. Masses of 3" yellow-gold or red blooms. This native wild flower is excellent for back borders and bouquets. Herbacous perennial in Zones 3-9.

• Attracts bees and beneficial insects such as lacewings, lady bugs, syrphid flies and parasitic wasps. Known as perennial sunflower.

Helianthus maximiliani (yellow flower, 5-6’ tall)