The Sunflower

The sunflower is an annual perennial plant from the daisy family. Native to America it is the national flower to both Russia and Ukraine.

The sunflower cultivated for its food source the seeds were used by native American's to make the flour for their breed.

The seeds are an excellent source of calcium and now very popular as a snack on their own also used for cooking oil and now in cosmetics, hair products and many other everyday items. Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh went to stay with his brother Theo in Paris in 1886 where he started his collection of sunflower paintings.

In total he created 12 canvas paintings of sunflowers.

Later on in his short career as an artist he wrote Theo a saying that he believed one of the paintings would fetch £66 something he was very pleased with he could not have been more wrong as his paintings now go for millions in auction and his sunflower paintings he is particularly known for.

The sunflower is given at the third year wedding anniversary.

Garden to home, Growing sunflowers:

sew the seeds in April in pots with soil and grit,

Keep well watered and feed once a week.

Plant out on June. For large amazing flowers to cut and bring into your home.

Each flower can yield over a thousand seeds so once you have enjoyed your flowers allow the seeds to dry out for a few days and store them over winter to grow again next year…