Interspecific hybridization was made between the cultivated sunflower Helianthus annuus L. and two perennial diploid species, Helianthus diuarica tus L. and Helttnthtts mollûs Lambert. Reciprocal crosses were made. Conventional breeding methods were used. Six inbred lines and one variety, Peredovik, were included in the hybridization. Hybrid plants were produced in both directions. The hybrid plants originating from crosses between the perennial species and cultivated sunflower had a perennial habit. Such plants were also produced from reciprocal crosses: line I234 A x Helianthus mollis and line 3064 A x Helianthus diuaricatus. The second hybrid and BCI generations were produced from the F1 material, showing great diversity of phenotypes.