Sunflowers have grown on me over the years. For a florist, they can be tricky. Their thick stems and heavy heads don’t always play nicely in a vase. But when they work, they really work. Bold, expressive, and full of personality, sunflowers bring a kind of joy that feels both simple and hard-earned.
We especially love the less common varieties. Sunflowers aren’t just bright yellow: they also come in moody tones like deep burgundy and rust. ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Moulin Rouge’ add a velvety depth to summer bouquets. And then there’s the ever-popular ‘Teddy Bear” – with its fluffy petals and rounded form, it’s as cheerful as it sounds.
Beyond the studio, sunflowers are quietly remarkable. After the Chernobyl disaster, they were used to decontaminate radioactive soil, drawing out up to 95% of toxins through their roots. Their buoyant stems were once used to fill life jackets. Named for the sun and known for following its path across the sky, these flowers don’t just lift spirits — they’ve quite literally saved lives.
In a season of abundance, they still manage to stand out. Their charm is real, their timing is fleeting, and their impact, visually or otherwise, is lasting.
If you’re in need of a little brightness, this is the time. Grab a bunch, give them room, and let them do what they do best.
