What started as a few Mammoth Sunflower seeds became one of the most interesting beds this year. The flowers were towering over us and slowly, over time, opened and became a vibrant yellow and green and then grew to enormous size and started drooping over until they filled with seeds and we were able to harvest them.  We took the seeds out of the first couple that were done, and have 3 more large flowers to harvest seeds from.  I really enjoyed this experiment. The Summer of looking out the window to a beautiful bed of flowers and the song of the American Goldfinches, as well as the many, many different bees and other insects we observed – all made this a fun and interactive garden for many months. We interacted with the garden as well as the many people who stopped by and commented on the flowers – or slowed down to see them as they drove by. We will definitely be including the Mammoth Sunflowers in the garden next year!

Evening walks in the garden – wine in hand

Amazing pattern

Seeds from the first Sunflower

Checking on another flower

Even now – smaller flowers still try to grow

Seeds from the second Sunflower

A treat for the Squirrels and Birds

The flowers are all cut down, but some of the stalks are still standing as we wait for the Mexican Red Beans to dry for harvesting.  Scheming has already begun as to where these beauties will be next year and how we can grow more of them! Such a rewarding effort in so many ways.