"Sunflowers are usually tall annual or perennial plants that in some species can grow to a height of 300 cm (120 in) or more. Each "flower" is actually a disc made up of tiny flowers, to form a larger false flower to better attract pollinators. The plants bear one or more wide, terminal capitula (flower heads made up of many tiny flowers), with bright yellow ray florets (mini flowers inside a flower head) at the outside and yellow or maroon (also known as a brown/red) disc florets inside. Several ornamental cultivars of H. annuus have red-colored ray florets; all of them stem from a single original mutant. While the majority of sunflowers are yellow, there are branching varieties in other colours including, orange, red and purple." - so says Wikipedia.
The sunflower is also the national flower of Ukraine. As well as it's beauty it is also a crop, and the country is a major producer of sunflowers.
Ukraine continues to resist the Russian invasion and the people are displaying remarkable resiliance despite their suffering. Katharine has had a couple of messages from her relatives there, and so far they seem OK. Hopefully the peace discussions will become more intense and achieve an end to the war quite soon.
This sunflower is artificial, a remarkably realistic representation of the real thing, and it stands proudly with several others in our window.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It is quite amazing how realistic artificial flowers are these days. Katharine acquired the ones in our front window as a show of support for Ukraine and to cheer us both up with their bold attractiveness.
Do you know: A week ago, a Soviet-made aircraft with a plane bomb fell down on Zagreb? Fortunately, the bomb (120 kg) exploded in the ground and noone was hurt. Putin is criminal and noone is safe now!
Thank you Lizzy, and it is so nice to hear from you! Life has been a challenge for the last 2 1/2 years, firstly with Katharine being in and out of hospital, and just when she was getting better, we had the first Covid-19 lockdown. Last summer I lost my mum, and Katharine's dad is now in a care home with dementia. So, lots of challenges, but we try and remain positive. I've just been looking back through your project and your fav's, and a mystery was solved. We have for a while had a phantom fav'er and couldn't work out who it was - but now I know it was you! How are you and your family? I've no doubt life has moved on since we were last in contact. I hope that you weren't troubled by Covid-19? Perhaps we might see an occasional photo on 365 from you? Do keep in touch, it's good to hear from you!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It is quite amazing how realistic artificial flowers are these days. Katharine acquired the ones in our front window as a show of support for Ukraine and to cheer us both up with their bold attractiveness.
Ian
Thank you both, they are really cheerful flowers.
Ian
Well, I'm pleased that nobody was hurt. At last I think the world has woken up to the threat that Putin poses.
Ian
Lizzy 🌻
Thank you Lizzy, and it is so nice to hear from you! Life has been a challenge for the last 2 1/2 years, firstly with Katharine being in and out of hospital, and just when she was getting better, we had the first Covid-19 lockdown. Last summer I lost my mum, and Katharine's dad is now in a care home with dementia. So, lots of challenges, but we try and remain positive. I've just been looking back through your project and your fav's, and a mystery was solved. We have for a while had a phantom fav'er and couldn't work out who it was - but now I know it was you! How are you and your family? I've no doubt life has moved on since we were last in contact. I hope that you weren't troubled by Covid-19? Perhaps we might see an occasional photo on 365 from you? Do keep in touch, it's good to hear from you!
Ian
Thank you. I was surprised how realistic this artificial flower is.
Ian