Sunflowers are so beautiful. They’re husky. They come in small “teddy bear” size with no seed centers, and huge size, from the seeds of the Russian Mammoth and Mongolian Mammoth varieties, with giant seeded centers. Sunflowers come in yellows, oranges, reds to rust reds and all color combinations and mixes, provided by breeders. It is hard not to smile and say “ahh” as you look at the flowers. Seeing them does you a lot of good whether they’re in a bouquet on your table or in a huge field.
Happy, strong and beautiful: what more could anyone want in a flower?
Romantic history between the Greek Sun God Apollo and the water nymph Clytie was one-sided. Clytie had told Apollo how she loved and adored him and he rebuffed her. Apollo had a new love interest and it was not Clytie. All Clytie could do was to try and watch Apollo go across the sky every day and hope to see his face. Clytie eventually stopped eating, wasted away and died. When Apollo saw what happened he felt terrible. With Apollo’s constant begging to “bring her back,” Zeus and his crew of good deed doers brought Clytie back, as a sunflower, so she could continually watch Apollo travel across the sky every day. In Greek, sunflower is “helianthus”. “Helio” means sun and “anthus” means flower. Helianthus flowers follow the sun all day. Mature flowers may face mainly east, but will turn somewhat during the day.
When I lived in Minnesota, right at the northern border, I was introduced to a huge field of oil-producing sunflowers. Near the field was a nuclear power plant. All the sunflowers were facing the plant to the north. It was mid afternoon and the sun was to the west. So, this is food for thought, and I hope you understand you are reading about something that most folks never have heard of before, or seen. In close proximity, the power plant’s energy brings the sunflowers face to face with the plant, not the sun. If the power plant was not there, the blooms would all face the sun. Something to think about.
Also, for several miles around this huge field of oil-producing sunflowers, there was an odd smell. It was the smell of the oil itself. The closer to harvest of the blooms, the stronger this scent becomes. It wasn’t like skunk, but I would not wear it as perfume either. When I purchased sunflower oil from the store and opened the bottle, I smelled nothing at all. I assume that the oil’s scent is masked or removed prior to kitchen use. That would be necessary in order to cook with it and have people eat the product.
In flower symbolism, the third wedding anniversary flower is the sunflower. Its stems are strong and reflect a strong foundation for the relationship; the sunny hues of the flowers reflect happiness, warmth and loyalty — a good foundation in any marriage.
If you are starting a new job, or a new path, sunflowers are given to wish for wealth, good fortune, focus, flexibility, healing, hope, enlightenment and loyalty.
Sunflowers are annuals and easy to grow in western New York. They can be started inside, but I recommend planting seeds outside in full sun, in well-worked soil with any necessary amendments already worked in. If you have not done a soil test in a while, do one prior to planting the seeds. Soil and its requirements do change over time. Best to keep up with them.
Sunflowers are usually planted after all danger of frost has passed. The type of sunflower seed you plant will determine the depth and distance apart when planting. You must read the label and go by what the directions say for the selection you have made. Try to think about space you have to work with, too. Bushy sunflowers may need more room and should not be planted too close together. If you choose the tall ones, they are better planted together forest-style; since they only have one stem, and tend to be tall, they need support. If your place of planting is like a wind tunnel, I would try another location.
If you are growing for a u-pick, you need to make room for paths, or a maze if you are doing a Halloween thing. Be prepared for lots of foot traffic and check your zoning and homeowners insurance requirements. There is always something more to consider when the public is involved. It is fun to have the public in, just be sure that they — and you — are safe. Think about whether animals will be allowed and how old can the youngest child be, and include that in your advertising. Is there going to be an “adult night” where there is a wagon ride and perhaps adult beverages? You may want to think about that.
Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy the sunflowers. They are a real gift to everyone.
Garden on!
Master gardener Fredi Stangland resides in the town of Alabama.
