Sunflower Cycle

Our sunflowers began in spring as seedlings in terracotta pots. A good transplant location caused them to respond in kind, shooting up tall, straight, and proud. A roadtrip through South Dakota in 1994 convinced me to be a sunflower fan. We were traveling the highway to Mount Rushmore (the rustic version, prior to the facility remodel). Suddenly, a huge field of mature sunflowers appeared beside the road! The flowers lined up in perfect formation almost like soldiers, countenances turned upward toward the sun. It was an image I’ve never forgotten..but not to be duplicated in an urban backyard!

So we plant just a handful of backyard sunflowers. They stretch and shine, then droop with age and weight. The stalks have been cut and are drying now, reminiscent of old curved walking sticks. The seed pod faces, gnarled and textural, will provide food for the sparrows and mourning doves this winter. Nature always offers a wonderful cycle:)