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Sunflowers add cheer and color to the summer garden

Good to Know

Sunflowers add colorful cheer to the summer garden

It’s hard to look at a sunflower and not smile. Synonymous with summer and sunshine, this annual plant adds bold color to the garden.

The flower is appropriately named because young sunflowers turn to follow the sun from sunrise to sunset. Mature sunflowers stop moving, however, and only face east to catch the warmth of the morning sun. They attract up to five times more pollinators than west-facing plants.

Each sunflower’s petals and fuzzy centers comprise thousands of individual flowers. The petals surrounding a sunflower’s center are flowers themselves and are known as ray florets.

autumn sunflower
orange sunflower

Most people expect sunflowers to be bright yellow with brown centers, but other varieties offer orange, red or purple flowers. And the plants vary in size as well. American Giant sunflowers can grow up to 14 feet tall, and their faces can reach 12 inches wide. Some dwarf sunflower varieties grow no taller than a foot.

While the vibrant sunflower is recognized worldwide for its beauty, it’s also a valuable food source for humans and wildlife. Sunflower oil is a healthy plant-based oil, and sunflower seeds can be enjoyed as a snack or nutritious ingredient in salads and other foods.

Sunflowers originated in North America, with archeological evidence showing sunflower use among American Indian tribes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The first cultivation of sunflowers occurred in Arizona and New Mexico around 3,000 B.C., USDA reported.

Watch this video: Extension Specialist Chris Mullins shows us how farmscaping with sunflowers and other plants can add beauty and beneficial insects to your garden in this clip from Real Virginia.

While Virginia isn’t a primary sunflower-growing state, there are farms that offer sunflower fields where you can pick your own. Search for a farm closest to you on Virginia Tourism’s website.

Most people expect sunflowers to be bright yellow with brown centers, but some varieties have orange, red or purple flowers. (Click to Tweet)
map graphic id plant graphic id plant graphic

There’s a lot to see, taste and experience along southern Virginia’s driving trail

If you come for the pork and peanuts, you’ll stay for the authentic experiences along a thematic driving trail called The Salty Southern Route.

The state’s pork-and-peanut trail, established in 2018 by state and regional tourism groups, welcomes visitors to “ride the route from nuts to snout” through coastal Virginia. Rural attractions and festivals dot the route from Surry to Sussex, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties and into the city of Suffolk.

Each location—restaurants, taprooms, farms, country stores, museums, inns, smokehouses, peanut shops and more—shares an agricultural connection. But the cultural discoveries and genuine hospitality at every stop are unique.

Hubs peanuts store
Hampton Roads Vineyard & Winery

The Salty Southern Route: Explore the region of Virginia best known for its peanut and pork products.

Inspired by Virginia’s Oyster Trail, Virginia Tourism Corp. and multiple rural entities gathered to discuss the cultural and culinary themes comprising their regional identity. Originally named the Burlap Trail, they settled on The Salty Southern Route.

“We all have pork and peanuts in common,” said Judy Winslow, director of tourism at Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention & Tourism Bureau. Locations on the route tie into that heritage.

“And the beauty of it—you can tailor your trip according to your interests.”

Route riders, including foodies, history buffs, ham fans and peanut connoisseurs, can follow day trip or weekend itineraries.

Rural attractions and festivals dot the route from Surry to Sussex, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties and into the city of Suffolk. (Click to Tweet)

Orange Banana Frosty

Add ice to this yogurt-based smoothie for a refreshingly nutritious—yet delicious—frozen treat.

See Recipe

Yogurt: The delicious, not-so-sweet treat

Yogurt is rich in protein and beneficial nutrients like calcium, potassium and vitamin D. Also packed with probiotics, yogurt has earned a place on our refrigerator shelf.

In existence since ancient times, yogurt has evolved into one of the most diverse dairy products available in grocery stores. A relatively simple food, yogurt has countless applications. It can be served with fruit, added to dips and sauces, or used to create refreshing frozen treats. It also can be an invaluable ingredient, providing a base for a flavorful marinade or adding richness and depth to a savory dish.

Low-sugar and low-fat yogurt varieties also offer healthy options for a quick breakfast or snack.

First marketed as a health food, yogurt became popular in the U.S. during the ‘60s and ‘70s. To combat its tart flavor and make it more appealing to a larger audience, sugar and fruit were later added.