Sunflower Season
- Linda Crider
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Here in the northern hemisphere we are now deeply into summer in all of its warm and sunny glory. So it seems fitting to give a shout out to the SUNFLOWER, often called an "iconic" plant that is among the easiest of flowers to cultivate and a hearty one that thrives in most climates. Add these features to the fact that it eventually serves a standing bird feeder, and it's a win/win/win for gardeners, pollinators and our feathered visitors!
American Transcendental poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once remarked that "the earth laughs in flowers," and this impressive blossom goes beyond a gentle chuckle to an all out hearty belly laugh! Whether you're admiring Sunflowers towering over your other garden flowers or driving past a team of wild varieties decorating the side of the road, you can't help but take notice.
Some species of Helianthus grow to over 15 feet tall and the bright, yellow flowers can be anywhere from 3 to 18 inches in diameter. For those interested in specific details of competitive gardening, the tallest known plant measured just over 30 feet in 2016, and the widest flower center on record was 32 inches in 1983.
With such impressive credentials you may right away associate this plant with the energy of power and dynamism. But herbalist Lisa Estabrook (the artist who created the above card) connects the vibe and message of Sunflowers as one that inspires "Confidence". I guess this goes along with the idea of power, but it also suggests something more personal and subtle...something that doesn't immediately burn with intensity but instead needs to simmer internally before radiating outward.
Lisa tells us that "When you are suffering from low self-confidence or self-doubt, Sunflower humbly reminds you of your true magnificence, instilling acceptance and understanding."
Perhaps the painter Vincent Van Gogh was seeking such a boost in self-esteem when he chose vases of Sunflowers as the subject for some of his famous paintings. It is said that he became so enamored with this flower that he once said "The Sunflower is mine."
The many vibrant and muted shades of yellow he transferred to canvas may not have been enough to save this troubled artist from deep depression, and critics continue to debate the meaning behind his obsession with this flower. But that's another story.
Daniel Elrod who hosts one of my go-to botanical websites Foliagefriend writes of how this heliotropic (one that grows toward the sunlight) plant has been honored in many cultures. This includes the Aztec and Hopi people who considered the Sunflower to be a symbol of the sun god and one to be used in ceremonies. Native American tribes such as the Dakota found the whole plant to be a source of food as well as protection. Christianity connects it to faith and loyalty while Buddhists see it as representing enlightenment. Overall, it is considered to be a symbol of happiness and prosperity.
Interestingly enough, Elrod points out that Sunflower plants also have the ability to absorb toxins and pollutants from the soil, so they have a positive environmental impact. In a related fun fact, they have been associated with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, who is considered to be the patron saint of ecology. So here we have another example of how plants such as this one have stepped up as wise elders to help we misguided but hopeful humans to heal both ourselves and the planet.
As for the gifts of this plant as a food source, I've heard some good things about homemade kale chips, but did you know that the more tender leaves of the Sunflower plant can be prepared and used the same way? I didn't either, so here's a one minute tutorial for anyone interested in experimenting.
The Sunflower seeds I planted didn't sprout this season, but here's a true story to end with...
A few days after I felt guided to highlight this flower and had already started researching and writing, I received an unexpected nod of approval from the universe. We were in the process of fetching our weekly CSA veggie box from a local farm when one of the workers caught my attention.
"Would you like a Sunflower?" he asked,
offering me this stunning beauty!! → → →
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
Comments