/OpinionIn the Garden: Native sunflower loves the beach1 / 2 IN THE GARDEN Dune sunflower 2 / 2 [expand] closeSouthern Florida is bringing the sun to you with this native bloomer, the dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis), which owns a bright flare of yellow and spreads like a wildfire. The dune sunflower is a powerhouse. With that being said, the dune sunflower works well as groundcover, especially in butterfly gardens, as well as edging, large masses, and cascades upon walls or fences. Nowadays, the dune sunflower sticks to growing full and looking pretty as it brightens up our island beachfronts, as well as our backyards. In The Garden is provided by In The Garden, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.