Flower of the Month ~ July ~

[Snowwark]

The Sunflower

The name "sunflower" originates from the Greek helios, meaning "sun" and anthos meaning "flower", since these flowers always turn towards the sun.

According to legend, the Greek sun-god Helios was drowned by his uncles, the Titans, and then raised to the sky, where he became the sun. He was beloved by a mortal named Clytie, who died of her love for him. Clytie was "rooted" in her grief, and thus followed Helios' daily journey through the sky.

To some, sunflowers promise power, warmth, nourishment, all the attributes of the sun itself. They also symbolize longevity.

The tallest sunflower on record was 25 feet tall and grown in the Netherlands. (I've also read of sunflowers in China, growing to a height of 40 feet!!!!)

The largest sunflower head on record, measured 32 1/2"" across it's widest point and was grown in Canada.

 

[amid chaos]

Nothin says sun like the sunflower...didn't get my seeds in the ground this year.

 

[olena]

Neat!

Maybe I should try growing them. I think my yard is too small...

 

[Mamu]

This is truely the flower of the summer. Nothing says summer's here more then the sunflower.

On our last trip to Italy I was surprised at the amount of sunflowers they grow. Our fields of wheat and corn are their fields of sunflowers, miles and miles of sunflowers. With the mountains in the back-ground it's a beautiful sight.

 

[Snowwark]

Heather, I grew some miniature sunflowers in containers a couple of years ago, and it worked great! I bought the seeds at the Land building at Epcot.

That must of looked gorgeous, Mamu!

 

[gina2000]

I have always wanted to grow sunflowers.....Matt wants them...and every spring I forget to plant some seeds!

I do have heliopsis, though....teeny, tiny sunflower-like flowers on five feet tall stems!