Symphony of sunflowers

As temperatures rise throughout the day, sunflowers open wide-a radiant overture to the summer sun.

Sunflowers epitomize everything that is summer-jubilant and hospitable. In the garden they get sassy with the ruthless heat; indoors they radiate with a resounding chorus of charm and nonchalance. Either way, a collection of these simple blooms celebrates the season like no other.

Sunflowers are essential everyday flowers, and there's still time to plant seeds for an Indian summer display. "Here, we plant sunflowers through the end of July," says Mark Priest, owner of Coyote Farms in West Fork, Arkansas. August offers the opportunity for starting a late-season garden in the Lower South. Choose selections with fast bloom times-the number of days it takes a seed to germinate, grow, and flower. "This time of year, sunflowers that would normally mature in 60 days may take 70 due to shorter day length," he says. A few of Mark's favorites are `Sunbright"Moonbright,' and `Sunbeam.' Each plant produces a large, strong-- stemmed blossom. " `Autumn Beauty' is a smaller, multibranching type that is wonderful for fall color," he adds.

Avoid battling seed-eating critters by starting sunflowers on a sunny windowsill in small paper cups filled with damp potting soil. When the first sets of leaves unfurl, gently remove the bottoms from the cups, and plant the seedlings in the garden, wrappers and all.

Sneeze Protection

If your plans include cutting blooms to enjoy indoors, be aware that some sunflowers shed pollen. " `Sunbeam,' `Sunbright,' and 'Moonbright' are pollenless selections that will not drop staining yellow dust or cause an allergic sneezing frenzy," Mark says.

Others, including many of the multibranching selections, cut beautifully but may drop some pollen. Prevent furniture damage by protecting the area under the flowers.

Mark offers some tips for longlasting cut flowers: "Gather blooms early in the day, just as the buds are opening. Make a diagonal slice on the stem, and place it immediately in water. Remove all foliage except for the top two leaves under the blossom." Changing the vase water every few days also increases the cut flower's life span.

Some types of flowers are solo performers-a single blossom is more than enough. Sunflowers, however, aren't that way. Individually, each one is bright and pretty, but collectively, they stage a symphony of feel-good, uncomplicated happiness.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Aug 2002
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