I’ve been feeling pretty chuffed this month because my sunflowers have survived both the weather and possums to fully bloom this year, and I’ve had more germinate than in previous seasons. I think this is partly thanks to direct sowing instead of raising seedlings and also moving where I plant them away from the back fence.
I was even able to pick some to bring inside yesterday, which I think is a first for me in over six years of growing them. One surprise this season was thinking I had planted a single variety, only to discover an assortment, which I have since learnt is common when planting seeds from hybrid varieties.
One sunflower stood out from the rest, a towering Russian Sunbird that I initially thought they all were. It loomed over my husband, who is 6’7″ before it had even bloomed, and as it did so its massive flower head began to weigh down the stem. It was the largest sunflower head I had ever seen, with a diameter longer than my foot. With the drooping head, I wasn’t sure if any bees had managed to pollinate the seed-filled center but we chose to cut it down, as the stem was close to toppling and the size and weight of the flower head could have damaged other flowering plants in the garden.
The remaining sunflowers haven’t grown as big, and I think I have about four different varieties in total. Still, the bees are absolutely thrilled, and I’m just as happy to see them, especially since their numbers seemed to have dwindled since last year. I haven’t spotted many native bees yet this year, and there also seem to be fewer butterflies around.
This week, the king parrots have just begun visiting to feast on the sunflowers, while the Rosellas have been enjoying the cosmos in other parts of the garden for quite some time now. Most mornings, as I go about my routine of watering or weeding, I end up disturbing at least one bird happily nibbling on the flowers.
Nothing makes me happier than watching the animals feed contentedly, but when creatures like the possums prevent them from reaching full bloom, it’s a bit frustrating not to see the complete outcome of my efforts.
While I grow many flowers purely for their beauty and the joy they bring to me, as well as to the birds and bees, I also cultivate others for their medicinal or nutritional value. Some I intentionally choose to attract pollinators, ensuring I can enjoy the benefits of their hard work.
I’ve noticed that without flowers near the veggie patch, the yield tends to drop, which happened with our pumpkin patch last year after we moved it to another part of the yard. This year, any low yields will be from planting late rather than a lack of bees for pollination.
Did you know that sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) belong to the daisy family and that more than just their seeds are edible? Depending on the variety, each sunflower head can hold up to 1,500 seeds.
The main food source, of course, comes from the seeds and the oil extracted from them, but you can also grow and enjoy sunflower sprouts. The flower petals and leaves can even be added to salads, teas, and more.
Sunflowers are a tasty and nutritious addition to your diet, packed with Vitamin E, protein, and healthy unsaturated fats, as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Thanks to this rich mix of nutrients, they can help improve digestion and brain health, boost energy levels, and strengthen muscles and bones.
If you’re feeling a bit down or depressed, bring some sunflowers indoors or spend time around them. Their bright light and uplifting energy can boost your mood, increase your energy levels, and at the very least, put a smile on your face.
This plant has some wonderfully witchy, magical, and energetic correspondences too, including luck, protection, confidence, the sun, magick, fertility, wishes, courage, friendship, prosperity, happiness, faery magick, and joy!
You can incorporate them into any project, ritual, or spell aligned with these intentions, and they can help you connect with Archangels Jophiel and Michael, as well as balance your Solar Plexus Chakra. I’ve been sharing about Sunflowers mostly this month because it’s also linked to the element of fire.
In the Year of the Fire Horse, the sunflower is a symbolic plant that can help you embrace your personal power, maintain optimism, and invite more joy into your life.
With the recent Seasonal Celebration of Litha in the Southern Hemisphere, which honors the sun and features the sunflower as one of its most recognized symbols, and with its growing season now upon us, it was an easy choice to select Sunflowers as our Plant of the Month for January for my business offerings.
These include some creations from a few weeks ago. I started making some new Sunflower Themed Altar Tins to add to my range of Designs. These hold elements, talismans, crystals and other items connected to the Fire Element and the Sun, which is often also seen as a symbol of fire and its energy. Inside each of the Sunflower Tins, I included Pyrite, Carnelian, Citrine, Tumblestones, along with a Sunstone meditation crystal engraved with the sun. Each Altar Kit also comes with a tealight candle, a spell jar for holding water or herbs, a small intention scroll, and three incense cones.
I create a variety of themed Altar Tins, each designed with specific intentions or to invoke different energies. Some are more general, like my Witchy Ways Tin or Moon Phase Tin, while others feature unique themes. This week I’ve just finished making a special batch for the upcoming Chinese New Year, filled with Chinese Wealth and Protection Amulets and Blessings for the year ahead. They are the perfect size to tuck into a bag when travelling.
My tins are available for at House Van Chaos Gallery in South Grafton, and I’m working on making them available online through my website, bluelotusheartspace.com. I’m currently streamlining the site, which for years listed every item sold through my brick-and-mortar store. That included a huge range of crystals, metaphysical items, gifts, and art pieces, but it was never fully up to date—especially since it’s just me doing everything, and I’d rather be creating than sitting at a computer! The revamped online shop will focus on what I’m currently working with and the items I love each month. Who knows—maybe one day it will feature all 800-plus items I have in stock and sell at markets, expos, and through our space inside House Van Chaos. Until then, feel free to reach out if you’re looking for something specific as it may be sitting on a shelf here at home or in the shop space in Grafton.
Some of my other Tin Themes include Dragons, Mushrooms, & Vintage Astrology, Boho Butterflies, and Bees and prices start from $30.
Zinnas and Zen 