Monday 1 June 2009

Sunflowers

My new garden is a very different space. It's all about the sunshine. This garden is very sunny and this has proven to be very challenging for propagating. My cuttings and gentle plants like my impatiens burn and quail; but for the first time, I am growing sunflowers. And not by design.These flowers have popped up where we throw out the dregs of the birdseed. All the sunflower seeds that the lovebirds have discarded have magically reincarnated in my garden.
And they are growing their own seeds. Many different varieties have sprung up. Some are daisy-like with many flowers while others are the classic one-headed sunflower. I am curious to see how quickly they will re-seed themselves. It will also be interesting to see if they perform as well in the rainy season which arrived today right on schedule.
One of the most interesting things about sunflowers is the spiralling patterns that flow both clockwise and anti-clockwise from the centre of the flower. Below this lizzy-dizzy pattern lie the immature seeds - a veritable sunflower-seed factory with snazzy packaging.The flowers have not lasted very long - maybe a week before they begin to droop.

I love the fact that this flower was once a seed in a bird cage.

7 comments:

Saur♥Kraut said...

I have a large plot of Jerusalem Artichokes (a.k.a. Sunchokes) which are related to these. The flowers are smaller and the nutty tasting goodness is in the root, instead.

Tira said...

What a bonus-such a variety of lovely sunflowers from discared birdseed! Must try that lol. I do get some good "volunteer plants" such as tomatoes and seasoning peppers as we recycle all our kitchen scraps in the garden.

Life As I Know It said...

Beautiful! Sunflowers are my favorite. When I got married we had giant sunflowers for "bouquets". I don't know what it is, but they make me smile!

Vix said...

Wow, great photos! A neighbour of mine has a profusion of sunflowers growing in his garden, they really can't be ignored. BTW thanks for the messages that you left on my blog, I enjoy reading yours as I have never been lucky enough to visit Trinidad.

My Chutney Garden said...

Saurkraut - Sunchokes? Those sound interesting. I've never heard of them.
thanks for the intro
Nicole - I just got some very mingy watermelons as well from discarded seeds. I've never been lucky with seasoning peppers.
Life As I Know It - They make me smile too! I still can't believe they grew.
Vix - Nice to meet you. I love St Kitts so must do another St Kitts post. Great island!

Jeannette StG said...

I love the pattern the seeds lie in the heart of the sunflower! Love the pics:)

My Chutney Garden said...

Thanks Jeannette. I love them too. I know there has to be some mathematical equation to the universe that lies in the heart of a sunflower. :)