Tendrils

Sunflower

Sunflower (Helianthus). The happy flower. You bet.

Today would have been my Dad’s 96th birthday. He LOVED sunflowers. He loved to grow huge sunflowers!

This post is a salute to my Dad’s favorite flower. A flower that’s popular with many creatures including bees.

A flower that brings on the butterflies.

A flower that inspires artists. A flower that inspires me to do pastel paintings.

A flower that invites birds to dine. A Tufted Titmouse to munch.

A flower that prompts me to pull over to the side of the road to get a picture in New Mexico.

A flower that looks like its name.

A flower that is lovely even from behind, with light shining through its petals and leaves.

A flower that knocks my socks off even before it is a flower.

A flower that comes in surprising colors.

A flower with seeds that follow the pattern of the Fibonacci sequence. Well, if the seeds were there!

A flower that completes the scene in Cloudcroft, New Mexico.

A flower most wonderful. Good choice Dad!

Brenda Clements Jones

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10 responses to “Sunflower”

    • Thanks bunches Gary. I remember so well, on his 80th birthday, it was as if it had just dawned on him. He said, “Wow! I’m really OLD!” He lived for 9 more years. <3

      Thanks bunches for reading my posts!
      Bren

  2. Such a beautiful remembrance, perhaps his love of these flowers was a metaphor for the magnitude of love of life and wonder he brought to all who knew and understood him. If you live to be beyond 100, I will write a similar blog for you as an observer, and lover of all the natural beauty you see and represent.

    • Oh Ken! I will totally look forward to reaching the age of 100 and eagerly anticipate your blog post!

      Thanks bunches for reading my posts and thanks for sending me smiles
      Bren

  3. Beautiful pastel Brenda! I used to grow the best sunflowers and then ants began chewing the stems and toppling them. I have not tried here in Florida other than Mexican Torch, which I also love, and grows well here. Your Dad has excellent taste! Thank you to you both for inspiring me to grow these again. Peace.

    • Thank you Kathy, for your kind words about my pastel painting. I LOVE pastels!

      Oh dear those nasty ANTS! My problem is squirrels that climb as high as they can, up the sunflower stem, of course pulling over the whole thing. Such rascals!

      I too grow Mexican Torch (Tithonia rotundifolia) which I absolutely ADORE!!!

      Best of luck with your newest crop of sunflowers!
      Thanks bunches for reading my posts!
      Bren

  4. I love this tribute to your dad and to sunflowers, one of my favorites, too. Thanks for writing these posts, Brenda! I learn something every day.

  5. I used to grow giant sunflowers in Pa. They are so much fun to watch grow. I’ve threatened to do it down here but haven’t as of yet…..you may have encouraged me. 🙂
    I remember seeing this pic of your dad and I love it.