Interested in some fun facts about Sunflowers?
- Sunflowers are a symbol of happiness and optimism. They represent longevity, love, and loyalty.
- The name sunflower comes from the Greek Helios “sun” and Anthos “flower.” It got its name because the flowers turn toward the sun.
- Sunflowers can range in height. Sunflowers are regularly classified into two categories: tall and dwarf. Despite popular belief that sunflower plants are giants, some don’t get taller than two feet. The tallest sunflower is over 30 feet!
- The common sunflower is valuable from an economic as well as from an ornamental point of view. The leaves are used as fodder, the flowers yield a yellow dye, and the seeds contain oil and are used for foods. Check out our favorite roasted sunflower seeds recipe!
- Growing sunflowers has evolved beyond food. Today, many people use sunflowers as inspiration for fashion, art, and home decor.
- Sunflowers need a lot of sun and space. The flowers not only look like the sun, but they also need a lot of it. They grow best with about 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, but more is even better. Flowers planted too closely together will compete and not blossom to their full potential.
- There are thousands of tiny flowers that create a sunflower’s head: Each petal on the circumference of a sunflower is a flower itself!
- Sunflowers have traveled to space. In 2012, U.S. astronaut Don Pettit brought along a few companions to the International Space Station: sunflower seeds. Petit blogged about his budding friendship and shared photos of the gardening process.
- Cuddly sunflowers? You read that, right! There is a type of sunflower called the Teddy Bear Sunflower. This type produces double blooms, which gives them a full and fluffy head, resembling that of a stuffed teddy bear!
Thank you, Mental Floss, Pro Flowers, Encyclopedia Britannica, and She Said Sunflowers for these fun facts!
The Sunflower Patch at Fair Oaks Farms is blooming! Come experience sunflowers yourself!