WILDFLOWER of the YEAR: SUNFLOWER
Sunflowers are a symbol of hope, resilience and sunny days ahead
In a time filled with so much uncertainty, the steady, cyclical shifts of nature and our gardens provide much needed reassurance and grounding. Sunflowers are often a highlight. Especially now, their dependable resilience and beauty stand out amid a changing world. This sentiment, shared by much of the staff at the Center, led to the sunflower being named our 2021 Wildflower of the Year.
Why We Love Them
Learn more about gardening with native sunflowers, why we hold them dear, and the inspiration behind their being named our 2021 Wildflower of the Year.

Monarch butterfly on Maximilian sunflower PHOTO Bill J. Boyd
Native Sunflower Species
There are more than 80 Helianthus species native to North America. Browse them on our database, where you can sort by state, bloom time, height and more.

Stiff sunflower PHOTO Chris Helzer
Sunflower Squad Goals
There really is strength in numbers. Sunflowers often team up for resiliency and survival. Read this Wildflower magazine feature celebrating the power of flowers working together.

Painted lady and Maximilian sunflowers PHOTO Chris Helzer
Greatest Garden Hits
A roundup of garden favorites for humans and wildlife, plus a nod to the joy of nonallergenic nut butters.

Maximilian sunflowers PHOTO Wildflower Center
Worth Looking Up To
Flowers have much to teach us. As this personal essay attests, the sunny faces and lofty heights of Helianthus annuus can even act as much-needed role models.

Common sunflower ILLUSTRATION Delphine Jones
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MORE RESOURCES
Field Guide
The perfect book to help you identify wildflowers on your adventures
Monthly Bloom Chart
See what’s likely to be blooming throughout the season
History of Beautification
Mrs. Johnson championed planting wildflowers along roadsides