Flower Spotlight: Sunflowers

Sunflowers are beautiful and perfect for summer. Their incredibly vibrant color delights us with such astonishing beauty that brightens every space. Want to learn more about sunflowers? Here is a brief history.

Origins and Symbolism

Sunflowers originated in the Americas back in 1,000 B.C. These flowers are recognized for their delightful petals, also known as “rays,” portraying the image of the sun itself. they symbolize not only happiness, but adoration, loyalty, longevity and good luck.

Legend has it, in Greek mythology, that a maiden fell in love with Apollo. She would stand in her garden and stare at Apollo as he passed in his “fiery sun chariot”. Apollo did not like people on earth looking at him and so he got tired of the girl. One day, he decided to throw an arrow at her, turning the girl into a sunflower. Even now she faces east as the sun rises and west as it goes down in the evenings, still following Apollo’s path.

To Consider

Sunflowers grow very fast! If the conditions are right, they can grown between 8-12 ft. tall in six months. These happy flowers are easy to grow in locations with full sun exposure. Once the process for the sunflower to grow is started they can very  well tolerate drought.

Availability

Sunflowers develop best in summer, according to the amount of sun they get per day. Typically, you will find this flower in yellow, but some varieties can also be found in orange and red. They are a great choice for weddings! Sunflowers fill a room with sunny charm and happiness. Perfect for bridal bouquets, since it is also a symbol of good luck.

When looking for the perfect flower to gift this summer, sunflowers should be at the very top of your list. Head to your local florist and share a little ray of sunshine!