From sacred religious emblem to icon of artist, the sunflower has had a rich and varied history.
An American native, this beautiful flower once covered thousands of miles of prairie, its remains have been unearthed in archaeological sites more than 5,000 years old.
The Incas favored the flower and considered the heads, which turn throughout the day to follow the the light, a symbol of the sun god.
The sunflower was one of the first American plants to be exported to Europe, where it caught the attention of many artist...but made famous by Vincent van Gogh.
Today , besides a sought after food crop, the regal sunflower is a must in the late-summer garden.
They will bloom continually from August til frost, reds, gold, and orange heads of this cheery annual presage the vibrant autumn colors yet to come.
Sunflower oil and the seed are valued commodities.
Sage Hill Farms uses sunflower seed in our salad blend, along with flash dried chives and a bit of Sea Salt....makes for a tasty and crunchy dish.
Look for it here:
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
Autumn is lurking in the wings....enjoy and grow some sunflowers~
Bea Kunz
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