two million sunflowers

by Kaylah Stroup

Last week I shared my list of goals I had set for this season (read them here) and one of those goals was to visit the sunflower garden. While plotting out what I’d be doing for the next few days I decided to check facebook for the garden’s address in case it was near something else I wanted to do. While searching I saw where someone had asked how the sunflowers were faring since it was getting so late in the season. Whoever runs the page responded back that they were starting to droop and that if that person wanted to come that they should go immediately. So, that’s how I ended up crossing off one of my goals the same day.

Prayers from Maria, and this massive sunflower field were created by Maria McNamara’s family after she passed away at age seven from a brain tumor. This sunflower field was created to help raise awareness for childhood cancer and celebrate Maria’s life. I read somewhere but can’t seem to find it again that after the flowers have peaked the seeds are then sold at one of the local garden centers raise money for research which is grossly underfunded. Last year they sold out pretty quickly. The field is much larger now, and there were more than two million sunflowers seeds planted this year! Hopefully those will be sold just as quickly!

I was definitely a little bit late to visit the flowers. Even a week
earlier and I think the flowers may have been in better shape. Drooping
or not, it was incredible to see SO many sunflowers in one place and for such a great cause. What a beautiful memorial that was grown and enjoyed by many!
xoxo

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21 comments

PeachSponge September 29, 2015 - 12:43 pm

So beautiful!!

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:25 pm

🙂

Dina Fragola September 29, 2015 - 12:59 pm

Oh this is gorgeous…and what an awesome memorial idea too.

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:25 pm

Truly! 🙂

Mel September 29, 2015 - 1:08 pm

That's such a beautiful way to raise awareness and remember someone!

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:24 pm

Seriously, and to see SO many people out there enjoying it is just amazing.

Stephanie September 29, 2015 - 1:09 pm

These flowers are so pretty! What a neat place.

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:24 pm

I know! I wish I could have seen them in their prime!

hello haha narf September 29, 2015 - 3:28 pm

TREMENDOUS! i love sunflowers and, to me, this is one of the best memorials around. thanks for sharing it.

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:23 pm

I agree! I wish planting flowers instead of giving arrangements of them was the popular choice for memorials.

Rochelle New September 29, 2015 - 3:38 pm

What a beautiful memorial. Sunflowers are my absolute favorite! I always wanted my backyard to look like that.

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:22 pm

ME TOO!

Really, just a solid field of any flower would make me happy. I do love sunflower fields though!

Pepper Medley September 29, 2015 - 3:51 pm

I love fields of sunflowers, and there was one that I drove past each time I went shopping, but for the past couple of years they have not planted sunflowers there. There has been so much rain this past week that I'm certain that even if I located such a field that the sunflowers would be drowning. Your photos are lovely and give me hope that perhaps I can find a field of sunflowers next year.

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:21 pm

I think I read that these seeds got washed out either last year or this year but they replanted!

Happy Homebird September 29, 2015 - 4:29 pm

Such a sad story and the sunflowers are so beautiful, it feels bittersweet. Hope they raise lots, they deserve to x

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:20 pm

It really is bittersweet!

brlracincwgrl September 29, 2015 - 8:29 pm

I absolutely love this, not only for the beautiful sunflowers but what they represent. As a childhood cancer survivor, I applaud the individuals that try & bring awareness & research to a disease that is usually "swept under the rug."

Kaylah September 29, 2015 - 11:20 pm

<3333

Morgan Gifford September 30, 2015 - 2:59 am

Is there anything better than a beautiful field of sunflowers on a nice fall day? Lovely post..thanks for brightening my day!
Morgan | theradwife.blogspot.com

Alexandra September 30, 2015 - 1:30 pm

This is incredible! Visiting a flower field in Amsterdam (or the one in Carlsbad, California) has been one of my goals forever. Just added this one to the list—thank you for sharing!

Adi September 30, 2015 - 7:10 pm

Sunflowers are among my favorite flowers. Planting and caring for them as a kid was always fun!

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