Sunflowers are usually planted in early May, similar to corn, and usually bloom in late July. They require approximately 100-120 days to mature. Sunflowers originated in the Americas in 1000B.C., where for centuries they were cultivated as a valuable food source. The use of sunflower images as religious symbols has also been documented in some native societies. Sunflowers also produce latex and are the subject of experiments to improve their suitability as an alternative crop for producing hypoallergenic rubber .

Sunflowers have a low to medium tolerance of saline conditions, and therefore soils with high levels of salinity should be avoided. Sunflowers are sensitive to herbicide residues such as Lontrel and Pursuit. Sunflowers represent light instead of darkness, transparency instead of secrecy, security instead of threat, and joy instead of fear.

Sunflowers belong to the second largest family of flowering plants, asteraceae, also known as the daisies or composites. In my photos, you can see the numerous disc florets in the center. Sunflowers in the bud stage exhibit heliotropism . At sunrise, the faces of most sunflowers are turned towards the east. Sunflowers are so named not because they look like the sun, but because their heads always tilt to face the sun. A symbol of longevity in China, a gift of sunflowers expresses your pure love.

Sunflowers are a sure way to brighten anyone's day! From You Flowers offers the freshest sunflowers suitable for any occasion or as a simple way to show someone you care. Sunflowers are incredibly easy to grow in summer borders and children's gardens. They can grow to over head height with big flower heads in bright yellow, or make shorter, bushier plants with red heads.

Sunflowers (nature/sun) are the very source of life on earth. This vibrant mood of life bursting out is beautifully undercut by the poignant drooping and wilting sunflowers in the vase along side the radiant ones. Sunflowers grown in home gardens are divided into two categories - Helianthus and edible seed types. Helianthus are grown for their decorative flowers. Sunflowers are generally mature long before they are dry enough for combining. Seed maturity occurs when the backs of the heads are yellow, but the fleshy sunflower head takes a long time to dry.

Sunflowers are annuals that can be sown where they are to flower, ensuring that they are planted in a fertile, well-drained, sunny position in the garden. The seeds can be sown in spring or early summer when the soil is beginning to warm up, and it is important to sow them into beds that are well prepared with organic matter and that are kept weed free.

My advice for anyone interested in growing Sunflowers at home is to talk to your local garden, you will need some patience, a bit of understanding about these amazing flowers and a good irrigation system to keep your flowers healthy and bright. Good luck.