Sunbeams of hope

By MEGAN RATHZ
When Nature Speaks

“Come with me into the field of sunflowers; they are far more wonderful than any words about them.”

American poet, Mary Oliver, so eloquently describes the golden sunbeams that extend toward the sky, leaving the shadows behind them. Sunflowers are utterly striking both en masse and on their own. Many only think of the brilliant, well-known golden faces of sunflowers, but with a wide range of varieties, they come in many other colors besides yellow. Sunflowers not only add beauty to our gardens, but pollinators also love them, making the joyful flower a wonderful addition to backyard habitats looking to promote pollination.

Sunflowers are heliotropic, meaning their flowers follow the daily movement of the sun. Sunflowers provide a long bloom time throughout the summer and are tolerant of heat and resistant to many pests, making them a practical and gorgeous addition to any garden.

These majestic flowers are fast growing, typically reaching maturity in 80 to 95 days. Sunflowers are annuals; they do not come back the following season. However, their seeds may be harvested from the spent blooms and replanted for years to come or enjoyed as a delicious snack by both you and birds.

Many start sunflowers from seed, but you can also purchase starter plants. They do best when planted after the last frost of the season. Some varieties can grow 14 to 16 feet tall, so it is best to plant them in the back of a garden. Given their tall stature, they can provide shade in a garden, so be mindful of what you plant around the sunflowers in your garden, particularly the plants surrounding them that require full sun as their tall stalks may shade other plants in your garden.

If you are looking for a local spot in Hamilton County offering sunflower sights, check out Stuckey Farm’s Sunflower Festival Sept. 9 to 11 where you can walk through acres of sunflowers and get the perfect fall family photo! You can also stop by your local Hamilton County Farmer’s Market and pick up a stalk or bouquet to enjoy inside your home. Make sure to harvest the seeds!

Sunflowers are often the subject for paintings and photography. Vincent Van Gogh painted a series of well-known sunflower paintings, and when asked about their significance, he stated that sunflowers “communicated gratitude.” The notion of nature lending itself for us to show our gratitude is something that strikes me.

Sunflowers also happen to be the national flower for Ukraine, which during a time when a country who so desperately yearns for peace, this is so meaningful. I find such symbolism that the proud sunflower, which stands tall among others and is a source of brightness in our gardens, can represent a country who needs hope amid such devastation and destruction.

I, too, am very grateful for sunflowers. I am thankful for their optimistic symbolism, their ability to stand tall and keep shadows to their back, but mostly I am grateful for the beacon of light that they add to a garden. The next time you see a sunflower, be grateful and keep those in the Ukraine in your heart.

Nature is speaking through these sun blossoms in our garden. It is giving us a reason to have hope and be grateful. Are you listening?

Megan Rathz is a wife, mother and teacher. She says everything she has ever learned in life came from her Master Gardener mother.