The sunflower has been cultivated for many thousands of years, leading to the Helianthus annuus, a mammoth plant that towers over its neighbors at maturity. Although the sunflower is known for its massive flower head, this “flower” is not actually a single bloom, but rather, an inflorescence composed of hundreds of tiny flowers fused together.
The sunflower is known for its size, beautiful, bright coloring, and nutritious, tasty seeds.
Sunflowers are one of the most popular flower types and are best known for their dazzling yellow color and large size. They generally symbolize adoration, loyalty, and longevity in the language of flowers. Native Americans view sunflowers as a symbol of harvest and bounty since the flower provides seeds and pigments, in addition to being visually beautiful. Sunflowers need direct sunlight for six to eight hours per day and require hot conditions to flower well. Sunflowers also have long roots that require plenty of room to spread out, so soil should be well dug and not too dense for growth. Avoid over-fertilization or risk your stems breaking in the fall. In addition to being great in a garden, sunflowers make great gifts and look wonderful in bouquets.