Meaning Of Sunflower

Sunflowers open faces symbolize the sun itself, conveying warmth and happiness, adoration and longevity.

Sunflowers were first grown in Central and South America, for more pratical reasons such as for oil and food, rather then for their pure beauty. Yet this combination of striking beauty and utility is, in part, why sunflowers have appeared as such revered symbols throughout the ages.

Native folklore suggest the Inca Empire worshipped a giant sunflower, and that Incan priestesses wore large sunflower disks made of gold on their garments.

Images of sunflowers were found in the temples of the Andes mountains, and Native American Indians placed bowls of sunflower seeds on the graves of their dead. The Impressionist period of art is famous for its fascination with the sunflower, and this striking flower remains today a commonly photographed and painted icon of uncommon beauty.

The Sunflower plants have extraordinary development patterns when they are grown in a garden. In bud stage the sunflower exhibits heliotropism, in which the plant motions toward the sun.The sunflower is the 3rd wedding anniversary flower and the state flower of Kansas.

Some Interesting Facts about Sunflower

• During the 18th century, the use of sunflower oil became very popular in Europe.
• Sunflowers grow best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil with a lot of mulch.
• Sunflowers may also be used to extract toxic ingredients from soil, such as lead, arsenic and uranium.
• Sunflower oil, extracted from the seeds, is used for cooking, and to produce margarine and biodiesel.

Sunflowers are very popular flowers that are available all year round in many floral shops. Only a few of the more than 70 different varieties of sunflowers are sold in the floral business. They range in sizes and shades of tinted yellow to an orange hue.

View our list of Sunflowers

How to Care for Fresh Cut Sunflowers

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