I have come to the conclusion that my favourite flower ever is the Sunflower. I am so enjoying the tall, sunny, friendly giants in my summer garden because they are more than just a Sunflower. They give shade with their big elephant ear -like leaves like an umbrella placed under a hot, unforgiving sun. Their huge colourful flowers bring such pleasure, but when the flower is spent, it droops and hangs and invites you to pick it to gather the abundant sunflower seeds that will bring new life for the coming summer. The seeds are health giving food for us and our animals and when you plant them the sprouts are the best ever to eat!
But the best of all are the little creatures that also find the Sunflower a respite from the summer heat – so, who is living in my sunflowers??
[one_half]A wasp in my sunflower
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[one_half_last]Ladybugs tucked into the arm of the sunflower
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[one_half]Yikes! A garden spider in camo gear, see it?
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[one_half_last]Lots of ladybugs in the sunflowers
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[one_half]A bee in the sunflower
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[one_half_last]Is this a ladybug on the sunflower leaf?
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Sunflower – Helianthus annuus – The valuable edible oil has more Vitamin E than any other vegetable oil, the flowers yield a yellow dye, and the seeds are eaten dried or roasted. No part of the plant is wasted as the stems are good for fuel when dry and the stems and leaves can be given to domestic animals as tasty fodder.
Bring a Sunflower into your garden and enjoy it!! xxx
Happy gardening