The Crowing Post:  12/24/07

Maximillian Sunflower: friend or foe?

Across much of the state this year, I’ve heard both PF chapters and landowners alike speculating on the value of Maximillian Sunflower.  It seems that more folks than ever are wondering if the plant isn’t just a bit too aggressive when included in wildlife plantings.  The abundance of the plant in fields this year along with its robust growth has produced an increased level of concern and discussion about the plant.

The reality is that unless you live in an area that receives about 35” of rain a year or more, the abundance of Maximillian Sunflower in a planting tends to ebb and flow like the tide.  When we have a year like 2007 where we had consistent moisture in July and August, the Maximillian Sunflower is much more abundant.  It’s prominence in a planting high influenced by the amount of moisture we receive later in summer.  If we had been drier July and August (as in past years), Maximillian Sunflower would have been less abundant and the plant wouldn’t have been as tall and robust.

If your goals are to provide good habitat for pheasants, quail and grassland songbirds, Maximillian Sunflower is an excellent choice to have in the mixture.  The growth form provides both structure and diversity in your mixture as well as a great food source for wildlife.

The general rule of thumb for wildlife management is that we would like to have a 50:50 mixture of forbs (broad-leaved plants like Maximillian Sunflower) and grasses in a wildlife planting.  By including more forbs in your wildlife plantings, you’ll be providing higher quality wildlife habitat for a much longer period of time.  

The next time you are planting a mixture with wildlife habitat in mind, make sure you check with a PF biologist.  We can not only design a great mixture for you, but can also supply the seed for you at the least expensive prices around!

Maximillian Sunflower was very abundant in plantings this year throughout the state due to the abundant rainfall received in July and August.

      habitat today….pheasants forever!