Hello sweet friends and Happy Thursday. I hope you all are having a good week. It is July in the South, and the heat index has been hovering around 107, but the sunflowers seem to love it!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
We first planted sunflowers in 2015 and have planted every year since. They are one of my favorite summer flowers because they make me smile. I hope they will bring a smile to you!
We planted four varieties of sunflowers in early May. We ordered seeds this year from Johnny’s Seeds. ProCut bicolor were planted in a raised bed close to the woodlands near the end of our driveway. RM planted two short rows of this single stem sunflower and they were the first to bloom.
They have strong stems with 4-6 inch blooms and grow to a height of five to six feet.
We grew them last year and I loved their color and how they performed.
They share the raised bed with zinnias (not in view)!
It’s as if their cheerful faces are welcoming us home as we drive up the hill!
RM prepared a new area in early spring for sunflowers. It is located behind the Sunshine Cottage garden fence. I was surprised when I imported my photos to see the bee in flight.
Royal hybrid is a gorgeous color and grows to seven feet in height…
…with a flower diameter of eight inches.
Royal hybrid is a high-yielding, early sunflower that produces delicious edible seeds.
Bees love them…
…as well as birds. Renaissance Man missed a perfect photo opportunity as a bluebird was feasting on the seeds. It seems the camera is never handy when you need it!
“Who knows what might lie around the next corner? There may be a window somewhere ahead. It may look out on a field of sunflowers.”
~Joe Hill
For several years we had planted sunflowers in the raised bed behind the garden fence. RM prepared a new site to the right of the raised bed where he planted Royal hybrid…
…and Sunrich Summer Provence!
Rich orange ray petals surround a dark brown to black disk with 4 to 6 inch blooms!
Just coming into bloom are Florenza sunflowers, also planted behind the cottage garden fence.
They are a unique color combination and reach a branching height of 45-55 inches!
We planted this variety last year and because of its color and excellent quality for cut flowers, I chose it again! Three weeks ago, RM planted a “new to us” variety called Sun-fill purple and they are already a few inches high. I will be excited to share this variety.
A second crop was planted last week and hopefully will produce by late August and early September!
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Mary says
Gorgeous Pam! What beautiful flowers for you, the bees and birds to enjoy! Love the capture of the bee in flight! The Florenza variety is especially stunning. What are the purple spikes I see blooming in the background of the photo with the bee? Wishing you a Happy Thursday, stay cool! ♥
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Mary. The purple spikes are a Chaste Tree (planted last year). Try to stay cool, this heat is relentless ♥️
Deborah says
You can’t help but smile when you see your beautiful sunflowers
Pam @ Everyday Living says
I am so glad they brought a smile, Deborah 🌻
Rita C. says
Spectacular! I really enjoyed this post with all your sunflower varieties! Hard to pick a favorite, but as a grower, my choice would probably be influenced by the ease in care. I’m guessing planting behind the fence serves as a natural support? I’ll never forget the massive fields of sunflowers when driving along I-90 in South Dakota. Their state is a top growe for the sunflower seed production.
Which one is Butch’s favorite?
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Rita, I love seeing massive fields of sunflowers. We could plant our pasture with them, whew that would be a lot of work and Butch likes to keep the hay fields. Seth is interested in raising cattle in his spare time 😂
Do you have this oppressive heat?
Rita C. says
Yes, we have the heat and high humidity. A couple of hard rain storms Sunday and again Wed only adds mosquitoes to the mix. 🙁
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Insects are a constant issue. Hope we get some rain!
Judy says
Absolutely gorgeous. Truly enjoyed this post. I have tried planting sun flowers have never had any luck. Thanks so much for sharing.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Judy. Gardening is trial and error for sure.
Kris@Junkchiccottage says
You are the hostess with the mostess Pam for the bees and birds. The sunflowers are stunning. xoxo Kris
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Aw, you are sweet…thank you Kris!
Bonnie Morgan says
So many pretty varieties! Sunflowers do make you smile. They are so cheerful!
Butch is required to have his phone with him at all times. A bluebird on the sunflower would be bliss.
We had a cooler day yesterday and Tuesday. Just a few degrees helps.
Have a good week.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Bonnie. I am surprised with your cooler days. The heat is horrendous here. Enjoy your day!
inspiredbyjoydianne says
Pam, your sunflowers are stunning. I love the different varieties and more on the way. I have some coming along but it will be a while. Mother always planted them. Happy Thursday.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Dianne. Sunflowers are a wonderful flower to grow. I hope yours do well!
Nancy Sharp says
I always learn so much from you and RM. What a glorious array of sunflowers! I can’t pick a favorite. They are all beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Florenza before. Thanks for sharing.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Nancy, I am so glad you enjoyed. Hope you are staying cool and enjoy your day!
marmeladegypsy says
These are gorgeous, Pam. I have sunflower seeds I never got planted and now I wish I had. Absolutely glorious.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks, Jeanie. You have had a lot going on. Maybe next year you can plant sunflowers!
Roxanne Bernard says
The two happiest flowers… sunflowers and pansies! I know you must smile every time you see yours in bloom. We have large fields planted around here, and I always pretend I’m In Provence when I drive by them. It is very hot and humid here, but nightly thunderstorms are keeping it green. And, finally, I am seeing a lot of hummingbirds at my feeders! Perfect weather to spend inside SunshineCottage with a lemonade and stack of magazines!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Roxanne! I sometimes pretend I am in Provence with my little rows of sunflowers. Hummingbirds are really active on all our flowers. Yes, I will carve out a little time to sit in the cottage with a tall glass of sweet tea and lemon balm leaves! Enjoy your day!
Clara says
Pam, Your sunflowers brought a smile to my face. They are all so pretty and so healthy! The birds and bees have a feast indeed. Thanks for sharing. The weather will wear you out for sure with the intense heat. I watered toward sundown yesterday and then God sent us a wonderful thunderstorm just in our little area per radar. While the lightening and thunder were right over us and very powerful, it was so good to have a really good rain! I was so thankful for it. Stay cool dear friend! Clara ❤️
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks so much, Clara. So glad you received rain ♥️🌻
Donna says
Loved my trip through your sunflowers! They are glorious, for sure. i know you are enjoying them.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Donna. I am glad you enjoyed!
the Painted Apron says
🌻 Sunflower Love Pam! 🌻 How wonderful to have those beauties right in your garden, the ultimate happy flowers! Try to keep cool!
Jenna
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Jenna. I am trying!
Heritage Hall says
What happy, joyous faces to delight the soul. The Florenza are a great discovery of color blend. You speak your heart by the blossoms you choose….dear joy-filled hearts. This Summer garden must be such a satisfying visual return on
your hard work. Bless you for sharing these smiling blooms.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Mary, I wish you could join me in the garden, but the heat is oppressive. I hope you are having a good day ♥️🌻
creationsbycindyphotography.blogspot.com says
Love the sunflowers Pam. I always plant some to gaze upon their beauty in the Fall and have been since my MIL passed away. That was her favorite flower and it sure is simply a refreshing of the Lord when I see the first one bloom. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Cindy. I know you love yours blooming in the fall!
Alice Genzlinger says
Oh to have a long summer season so I could have two plantings. The first field of sunflowers I ever saw made me stop on the side of the road and just stare. They are indeed a happy flower and your varieties are beautiful.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Yes, they are a cheerful flower and I hope our second crop will be successful. I hope every day is getting better in your recovery, Alice 🙏🏻
Alice Genzlinger says
I am getting stronger every day. My follow up appointment with the surgeon is this Tuesday. Don’t think the braces will come off and possibly another 6 weeks with them on. On well this was a serious surgery and I can’t let it get me down no matter how hot it is with a neck brace and back brace on 24/7. We must persevere to the end. I thank you for healing prayers.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Alice, I am so glad you are getting stronger each day. I pray for a good report on Tuesday. I continue praying for you ♥️
Tea With Jennifer says
Such a delight Pam! I didn’t realise they came in so many varieties! ☺️
Blessings, Jennifer
barefootlilylady says
My sunflowers are a few weeks behind yours, but they’re already making me smile. I just love the varieties you planted and all of the lovely photos!
Have a blessed and beautiful day, Cindie
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks so much, Cindie. I will be watching for your sunflowers!
Nancy says
Oh Pam… you are so lucky to have these growing in your yard! And so are the bees and the birds!
A smile comes to my face just looking at all your amazing pictures. Spectacular!
Thank you for the smiles dear friend!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
RM has done a wonderful job tending the garden. It makes me smile to know that the sunflowers gave you smiles🌻💛🌻
Patti Fralix says
Pam, the sunflowers are beautiful!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you dear friend!
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says
I love sunflowers and yours are beautiful! They are such a happy flower.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks so much, Penny!
Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says
I’m so happy that you shared your Sunflowers with us! They make me smile. All of the varieties are beautiful! Wishing you a most wonderful weekend, sweet friend!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
My pleasure and thank you sweet friend!
Liz says
Oh those are so beautiful! I didn’t plant any sunflowers this year and miss them! Love the different way you captured them. That would have been amazing to see the bluebird on the sunflower! Have a beautiful week!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks so much, Liz! We really enjoy the sunflowers 🌻
Kim says
Oh my goodness – all the different varieties you have. They are all gorgeous and you are so right – its hard not to smile at them. They kind of remind me of little soldiers standing at attention lol. Thanks so much for sharing all their beauty and I hope you have a lovely week!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Kim. Wishing you a lovely week, as well!
Cheryl says
Oh, wow! I didn’t know there were different varieties of sunflowers! They are all so beautiful and like you said, they just bring a smile to one’s face. I love how they raise their faces heavenward. That is the very thing we must do to stay encouraged—lift up our heads for our redemption draweth nigh. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Amen, and thank you Cheryl!
Alycia Nichols says
You have such a way with flowers!!! I just plant and hope. Hope usually runs out about 3 weeks in.😞
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Alycia, hang in there with your flowers!