Sunflowers Delivered Sydney & Australia-wide Sunflowers bring joy and happiness for every occasion... Sunflowers are a cheerful flower and have been cultivated and harvested by many cultures for at least 4,500 years. The scientific name of the sunflower is Helianthus. This name has been derived from two Greek words - 'helios' which means the sun, and 'anthos', which means flower; hence, the name sunflower. Sunflowers originated in the Americas in 1000 BC, where for centuries they were cultivated as a valuable food source. The use of sunflower images as religious symbols has also been documented in some native societies. With the European exploration of the New World, the sunflower was brought to new areas, and the flower's popularity eventually spread as the rest of the world began to appreciate its beauty and use as a food source. Today, sunflowers continue to provide a resource for commonly used seeds and oil, but they have also become recognised as a floral symbol of great significance.

Common Name	Sunflower
Botanical Name	Helianthus Annus
Origin	The unmistakable sunflower originates from the Americas
Description	This flower has a distinctive large bold flower head with yellow petals and dark centre. Occasionally it is found with burgundy petals
Where Grown	Sunflowers are grown worldwide and are widely grown in Australia. In the field they have their heads follow the sun during the day
Availability	Sunflowers are grown all year
Use In Flower Arrangements	Sunflowers make a great statement in a vase on their own or as a beautiful focal flower in a display
Caring For Your Flowers	Sunflowers drink lots of water so always make sure the vase is full. To ensure the maximum vase life cut a small slit in the bottom of each stem and remove the foliage. If the flowers do become dehydrated and wilt, this can sometimes be fixed by cutting the bottoms off the stems and placing them in boiling water approxiamately 30 seconds before putting back in the vase.

More About Sunflowers & Cut Sunflower Care...

The sunflower is a popular, vibrant flower and is known all over the world for its beauty. It is seen as a symbol of warmth, light and hope. Sunflowers are an ideal choice for sending sentiments of cheerfulness and sunny thoughts. Give sunflowers to someone who is recovering in hospital or to a valued friend or relative to show them you care.

Sunflowers can drink a lot of water. To prolong the life of your flowers, be sure to use a vase that holds plenty of water and can support the weight of the flowers. Sunflowers grown for the floral trade are usually hybrids that have a much longer vase life than those picked alongside the road.

Add the flower food which came with your bouquet to the vase that contains your sunflowers with each water change. Floral preservative helps to prevent bacterial growth, aids in keeping vase water clear, and feeds your flowers and foliages insuring a longer vase life.

Remove the leaves before the water line. While holding the stem under water, cut 2 to 3 cm off the stems at angle. Do not let the freshly cut stem dry out.

Contrary to its name, sunflowers do not like direct sunlight. Keep your freshly cut sunflowers in a cool area, out of the sun and away from drafts and heat. Temperature is an important factor in the vase life of these flowers.

Remove old leaves to keep your bouquet of sunflowers looking fresh longer. Every time you change the water for the flowers, cut off the ends to keep them fresh. Keep your sunflowers well hydrated as this helps to support their heavy head weight.

Check your sunflowers daily and add more preservative and fresh water as needed. The water should be changed every 3 to 4 days and the sunflower stems should be recut to maximise the life of the flowers. Sunflowers can last 6-12 days and can be top heavy, so use a vase that can support them.