Flower spotlight: Sunflowers

When you want a bright, cheerful flower to make someone smile, you can’t go wrong with a sunflower. While they naturally bloom outside in summer, many varieties continue to bloom into fall as well. And their beautiful yellow petals and rich brown centers certainly make them a great addition to fall floral bouquets.

Sunflowers are phototropic, which means they grow toward the light. This quality plus their bright yellow color and round shape like the sun led to their name.  They’re part of the genus Helianthus, which comes from the Greek words helios meaning sun and anthos meaning flower.

The sunflower originated in America thousands of years ago and was harvested for both its seeds and oil. The seeds could be eaten as they were or ground into flour for use in cooking or baking. Spanish explorers transported the flowers back to Europe where widespread cultivation began in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

While the most iconic sunflower is yellow, they also come in red, orange, brown, and a few multi-color varieties as well. Their blooms range from small to large, and when planted in the ground, they can grow from two feet tall to as high as ten feet or more.

Sunflowers symbolize loyalty and adoration, as well as warmth and good fortune. They also symbolize worship and faithfulness in some cultures. Yellow sunflowers can also be a symbol of friendship. They’re the traditional flower for the third wedding anniversary, as well as the state flower of Kansas.

They have also been a source of artistic inspiration for many years and were particularly popular among Impressionists in the 19^th century. Perhaps the most recognized paintings of sunflowers are those created by Vincent van Gogh, which he said symbolized gratitude.

Want to brighten someone’s day with a cheerful arrangement of sunflowers? Call or stop by the shop today to place your order.