The Beach Sunflower, also know as Dune Sunflower, part of the Asteraceae family, is a popular flowering ground cover that thrives in the well-drained sandy and saltwater coastal areas. Beach sunflowers bloom into sunflower-inspired yellow flowers that attract butterflies. This perennial is perfect for cascading landscapes, borders, and edging. butterfly-attracting Florida native that’s perfect for hot, dry sites, including coastal areas. Many gardeners like to use it as a colorful and drought-resistant groundcover. Fun fact: the flower heads always follow the sun throughout the day.

Beach Sunflowers are edible, and every part of the plant can be consumed. Some products include roasted seeds, oil, sun butter, and sunflower meal usually feed to animals. Uncommon foods, but gaining in popularity, are cookies, bread, and muffins. The petals of the plant are also edible. The plant is non-toxic and is enjoyed by many small animals.