Among the floral world, nothing says summer quite like the cheerful sunflower.

Out amid vast prairies these towering plants grow up to ten feet high and have blooms up to a foot wide! Native to North America, they became an important crop for Indian tribes who used the seeds to make sunflower oil and flour for bread. Myth even has it that some tribes would carry a mighty sunflower into battle for added courage. During the late 1800’s, Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh became so captivated by their magnificent beauty, he painted a series of still life paintings featuring sunflowers in all their varying shades of yellows and reds. Today sunflower seeds are harvested to produce a healthy snack food.

During their beginning stage of growth, sunflowers (helianthus annus) have the heliotropic ability to track the sun, meaning their faces turn towards the sun up until the bloom appears. They grow in all fifty US states as well as in Mexico and Canada. Crops of bright yellow sunflowers attract huge crowds every summer throughout a number of midwestern states, like Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, where people enjoy taking photos among the seemingly endless fields.

Adding sunflowers to your special occasion can enliven the day, whether it be for a wedding or baby shower. These down home country flowers beam happiness and can add a sense of

do-si-do festivity for any special occasion.

Transplant some south western flair to your own Grand Rapids home event by adding rustic barrels or hay bales to a barn style theme bedecked with sunflowers. Why not have the wedding party wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats and have them carry bright bouquets of sunflowers alongside daisies, geraniums, lavender and sprigs of wheat for fun.

For the bride, a more classic bouquet can be made by surrounding sunflowers with red roses, baby’s breath and some greenery and maybe tucking in a bit of lace. A single blossom makes a nice boutonniere. This look can be altered to also complement a casual boho or destination wedding.

As for decorative touches, place long stems of sunflowers in tall vases with some lemons for a zesty punch of yellow. Place sunflower blooms amid moss for a woodsy feel and place shorter stems in mason jars alongside candle lit lanterns. For a baby shower, sunflowers signify love and adoration for your little one and symbolize another one of life’s happiest moments.

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