By Linda Katherine Yates
“We’re all golden sunflowers on the inside”. ~ Allen Ginsberg. Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as humans or animals. Some seem to smile, some have a sad expression, some are pensive and diffident, and others are plain upright and honest like the bold, broad faced Sunflower. For the anthophile, a person who loves flowers, Sunflowers symbolize loyalty, unwavering faith, unconditional love, adoration and longevity. Their bright colours are warm and cheerful, and they are well recognized for the optimism they represent. Because of their association with the sun, Sunflowers are well known for being a happy flower and the perfect bloom for a summer bouquet or a home delivery to brighten someone’s mood. They have the ability to provide energy in the form of nourishment and vibrancy, attributes that mirror the sun and its energy provided by its heat and light. Sunflowers increase biodiversity in many ways. They produce habitats and cover for birds and small wildlife, provide food, mulch, compost, deer barriers and reduce erosion. Sunflowers attract many pollinators, bees, butterflies, caterpillars and beneficial insects.
Some other interesting facts about Sunflowers are: 1. Sunflower heads are actually made up of thousands of tiny flowers. 2. They are native to North America. 3. The tallest on record is over 30 feet tall. 4. They track the sun and when mature face the east. 5. Sunflowers are Ukraine’s national flower and a symbol of resistance against the countries’ invasion by Russian forces. 6. An anonymous buyer paid over $39 million in 1987 for Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ painting.
For a very special treat in the Bemus Point area near Chautauqua Lake you can see and experience the ‘Samuelson’s Sunflower Field’. It’s located above the Chautauqua Lake bridge on the hill on Westman road. It is astounding and breathtakingly beautiful. The Samuelson’s have set up a Facebook page for 🌻GUIDELINES🌻 for visiting and for photography sessions. They want to share the experience of beauty, love and happiness and would like to continue to grow the Sunflowers in the future. Donations can be made on fb and will be used to continue to cover costs of seeds, equipment maintenance, fuel, etc. See fb page ‘Samuelson’s Sunflower Field’ for more details. Common Courtesy is all that’s required. It’s a wonderful experience to see and seems to be enjoyed immensely. Your photos of the field can be shared on fb as well. There seems to be something universal about fields of flowers and how they make us feel. It’s somehow inspiring and calming at the same time. Try it, you’ll love it!
“One of the most enchanting spaces in nature is a sunflower field, reminding us of the beauty that surrounds us. “ ~ Henry Ward Beedy