There’s something undeniably joyful about sunflowers. Their golden faces seem to follow the sun, and they bring a warmth and cheer that’s hard to ignore. But beyond their beauty, sunflowers have a long and fascinating history.
A Flower with Ancient Roots
Did you know that sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are native to North America? They are, indeed! They were first cultivated over 4,000 years ago by Indigenous peoples for their seeds, oil, as well as their symbolic importance. They didn’t make their way to Europe until the 1500s, when Spanish explorers brought them home. Since then, they’ve spread around the world, celebrated for their striking looks and symbolism of adoration, loyalty, and longevity.
Fascinating Facts
Sunflowers are heliotropic. Young blooms actually turn their heads throughout the day to face the sun (although mature ones eventually settle facing east). A single sunflower head can contain up to 2,000 tiny florets, each capable of producing a seed! And they’re not just yellow! Specialty sunflowers come in creamy whites, deep burgundy, soft apricot, and even multi-toned varieties.
Caring for Cut Sunflowers
If you bring a bunch home (or treat someone special!), here’s how to keep them happy:
- Remove all leaves that would sit below the waterline in a vase to decrease the chance of bacteria growth.
- Use clean, cool water and change it every 2 days. Give the stems a fresh trim at an angle each time you change the water. Sunflowers are considered “dirty flowers” and will cloud up the water fairly quickly.
- Keep them away from direct sun and heat once inside…they’ve already soaked up enough sunshine while growing in the field!
Sunflowers at Hand & Flower
This season, I’m growing some truly special sunflowers that you won’t find in your average grocery store bunch. They’re now available in the shop and they’re the perfect way to bring a little sunshine inside…no matter what the weather forecast says! So whether you’re a longtime sunflower lover or new to their charm, pop on over and take a look!
Thank you for reading!
Heather from Hand & Flower
