Sunflowers blooming in a field in summer
© Arsgera/Shutterstoc
Sunflowers
Bright and bold, sunflowers are loved by bees, birds and just about everyone. The name of their genus, helianthus, comes from the Greek words for sun (helios) and flower (anthos). These annual plants are known for their large, daisy-like flowers and radiant charm. While sunflowers come in shades of red, orange and maroon, it's the classic yellow blooms with brown centres that are the most common.
Beyond their good looks, sunflowers are grown for their tasty seeds, which are snacked on, pressed for cooking oil or offered as a treat for birds. Their value isn't a modern discovery—Native Americans cultivated them thousands of years ago. Sunflowers were often planted alongside corn, beans and squash as a symbolic 'fourth sister', reflecting their importance long before they became garden icons.
Related Images
Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Goldfinch, South Carolina, USA
Teton Mountains, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
An indigo bunting on a sunflower
European honey bees in Sheffield, England
Ruff male displaying on Varanger Peninsula in Norway
Peloton during the 2018 Tour de France in Valence, France
Balsamroot and lupines, Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington, US
Bing Today Images
