Flower Focus: Capturing Happiness in a Sunflower

No other flower can lift someone’s spirits quite like sunflowers. They are bright and cheery, and as warm and inviting as the sweet summer sun. With brilliant yellow petals, also known as ‘rays’, sunflowers have an unmistakable appearance that makes them a crowd favourite. They are especially popular in the summer months. Sunflowers make the perfect congratulatory flower gifts , s anniversary flowers or surprise bouquet for someone at their convocation or arts performances, and also a.

Sunflowers come in a number of varieties, ranging from the small and petite to the very tall and large, and having yellow to racy red petals.

However, there are more to sunflowers than meets the eye. While they are stunningly beautiful, they are also rich in history and meaning.

The Meaning of Sunflowers

Sunflowers symbolise adoration, loyalty and longevity. Much of the meaning of sunflowers stems from its namesake, the sun itself. These flowers are unique in that they have the ability to provide energy in the form of nourishment and vibrancy—attributes that mirror the sun and the energy provided by its heat and light.
Sunflowers are known for being “happy” flowers, making them the perfect gift to bring joy to someone’s (or your own) day.

In Chinese culture, sunflowers are said to mean good luck and lasting happiness.

The ancient Greeks believed that sunflowers turned towards the sun because of the nymph Clytie’s adoration of Apollo, the God of the Sun. At first he loved her too, but then he turned his affections towards another nymph. In a jealous rage, Clytie told the other nymph’s father and as punishment, he buried her alive. Outraged, Apollo turned Clytie into a sunflower, but her love for him was so strong she watched him move across the sky each day, just as sunflowers follow the sun.

The scientific name for the sunflower is Helianthus. It comes from the Greek words “helios”, meaning sun, and “anthus”, meaning flower.

The History of Sunflowers

Sunflowers originated in the Americas in 1,000 B.C., and were then cultivated as a valuable food source for centuries. With the European exploration of the New World, the flower’s popularity spread, as the rest of the world began to appreciate its beauty and sustenance.

Artists throughout history loved the sunflower’s unique splendour – those of the impressionist era were especially fixated on the flower. The use of sunflower images as religious symbols has also been documented in some native societies.

Wild sunflowers are often photographed with their tall stalks and bright petals stretched towards the sun. This interesting behaviour, known as phototropism, inspires a motif that has appeared in many ancient works.

Types of Sunflowers

There are over 80 different species of the sunflower. Here is a selection of the most common types seen in the region.

• American Giant – Has the ability to grow up to 4.8m tall and a metre wide. No wonder it is called a giant.
• Pacino – No links to the famed actor, but this gorgeous variety is most commonly seen in garden planters floral decorations, featuring its long, vibrant yellow petals.
• Taiyo – Perhaps the most common of sunflowers, they sport gorgeous bright, yellow petals, and are perfect for cut bouquets.
• Suntastic Yellow – As the tiniest type of sunflower, they only reach about 50cm in height, and are also ideal blooms for hand bouquets.
• Italian White – An unusual type of sunflower with its pale yellow (almost white) petals and a chocolate centre.
• Teddy Bear – Looking a little like chrysanthemums, persons with trypophobia might be afraid of it. The Teddy Bear is the most unusual sunflower, with big puffy blooms that grows up to 1.8m tall.

Sunflower Care Tips

Taking care of cut sunflowers is relatively easy, as long as you remember the basics. Here’s a quick sunflower care guide to help you:

• Sunflowers have a vase life of roughly 7-10 days.
• Remove any foliage that will be under the waterline in the vase. This prevents the build up of bacteria in the water.
• Add any flower food to the water as per the packet instructions.
• Cut about 2-3cm from the stems. Make sure you do this at an angle as this improves the water uptake of the flowers.
• Sunflowers do best in moderate temperatures, so place them in a room that isn’t too hot or cold.
• Sunflowers are thirsty blooms. Make sure to keep the water topped up and change every few days, if necessary. This will help to keep your sunflowers looking beautiful for longer.

More Facts about Sunflowers

Sunflowers may be one of the most popular summer blooms but there are still a few things that people don’t know about this gorgeous flower. Here is a list of interesting sunflower facts that you may not have known:

• Sunflowers are part of the Asteraceae family, which is the same family as daisies.
• The sunflower is the national flower of Russia and Ukraine.
• Sunflowers were worshipped by the Incas due to their resemblance to the life-giving sun.
• Their seeds are full of calcium, making them an excellent food source.
• The tallest sunflower ever recorded was 9.17 metres long. It was grown in Karst, Germany, back in 2014, and still holds the title today.
• The sunflower’s seeds follow the Fibonacci sequence. Created by the mathematician Fibonacci, each number in the sequence is the sum of the two previous numbers. All things in nature tend to follow this pattern. You may see it especially in spiral shapes.
• Sunflower seeds come as black or striped. The black ones are used to make oil, like the sunflower oil used for cooking, while the striped ones are often sold as healthy snacks.

Today, sunflowers remain a highly recognised flower, admired for its sunny charm and delightful disposition. These beauties are also still sourced for their seeds, as well as oils used for cooking and skin emollients. For a flower that reflects so many of the sun’s positive characteristics, it isn’t surprising that people enjoy basking in the sunflower’s warming glow so much.

Get some Sunflowers to Brighten Up the Day

Looking to get yourself some sunflowers, or looking to send some cheer in the form of sunflower hand bouquets? Consider getting it from Flower Nation, your one-stop online florist Malaysia for flower gifting.

Not only does Flower Nation carry an extensive and comprehensive range of floral choices (including the bright and fun sunflower), you can trust the team of Kuala Lumpur florist with years of experience to create gorgeous arrangements for you.

The florist in Klang Valley also provides one of the best flower delivery Malaysia. Complimentary flower delivery Klang Valley is provided for orders within the vicinity.

Shop at Flower Nation for sunflowers and more today!