It was fifteen years ago that I first visited bella Italia. One of my best memories from that trip was standing in a huge Tuscan sunflower field. We had rented a car and decided to cruise through the countryside. It was a great mode of transportation, allowing us to get close and personal with the environment. We parked the car and took a short walk out to a sunflower field. I found myself delightfully surrounded by expanses of bright yellow faces, all gazing up at the sun. I discovered that they follow the sun all day long, every one of them. At night they droop a bit but when the sun rises out of the east at morning tide, their cheerful little heads lift to gaze upward once more.
I have always had a great fondness for sunflowers. I recall the gigantic ones in the neighbor’s garden from my childhood. They made me think of tall solemn nuns, all standing in a row, their heads bowed down heavy with seeds.
Sunflower fields in Italy can be found mostly in Tuscany, Umbria, and Le Marche from mid-June until early August. However, the best time to see their vibrant colors in full bloom is closer to mid-July.
An interesting fact about Sunflowers is that they display “heliotropism,” the ability to grow in the direction of the sun. They position themselves as tiny seedlings to be turned toward the east where the sun rises. As the sun passes across the sky from east to west throughout the day, those little golden heads turn to follow it intensely. At night-time, they return to an eastward orientation and patiently wait until the sun rises the next morning. As a result, the Sunflower has earned the name Girasole, which means “sun turner.”
Sunflowers are grown predominately for their oil which is used in cooking, as a base oil for therapeutics, and as food.
The wonderful aspect about Sunflowers is their ability to shine with relatively minimal care. Full sun, a fertile soil, and good water are all they require. The wonder, joy, and delight they bring to those walking, bicycling and driving by fields of them is quite moving. I prefer to think of Sunflower fields as little armies of love. Majestic and beautiful, they leave a lasting memory with those who stop and take in the glorious view of those little golden faces.
Have you had the opportunity to see the magnificent sunflower fields in Italy? What has been you sunflower experience, anywhere? I’d love to hear your stories too.
Simply stunning!
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This is a lovely post combining two things I love – Italia and Sunflowers although despite having travelled widely in ItalyI have not come across a sunflower field on my travels. I have a poetry blog here on WordPress and today’s post is about sunflowers in case you have time to look? Sunny greetings, Sam 🙂
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Thank you…I would love to read your poem about sunflowers. I’m glad you shared it with me. I hope you find that sunflower field in Tuscany:)
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Thank you. I love Tuscany and all things Italian for that matter!
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Gorgeous shots, dear Susan. My favorite memory about sunflowers is the newlywed garden we had on a sunny slope that grew the best ones I’ve ever has.
Blessings ~ Wendy
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Thank you, Wendy! Sunflower memories are very enchanting…
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Girasoli are such happy flowers! There are also endless campi di girasoli in the Monti Dauni area in northern Puglia where I happen to be right now. In fact, I am going to Villa Jamele on Wednesday morning to sketch and paint. Ciao, Cristina
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Yes, they are a wonderful sight for sure! Have a wonderful time Cristina, in bella Italia:)
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Oh wow, they are my FAVOURITE! I have learnt something new- “heliotropism!”
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I’m glad you liked it! I have a special love for sunflowers, always have. Thanks for stopping by.
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How beautiful! They are my favorite flowers! 🙂 There are amazing fields in Le Marche too 🙂
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Aren’t they beautiful? And I love the way they keep their gaze constantly up at the sun.
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I first saw them outside San Gimignano. The size of the sunflower and the size of the field of them amazed me. Thanks for reminding me of this beautiful site.
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Amazed is a perfect word to describe a field of sunflowers, George:) I saw a photo of a field of sunflowers the other day and this memory of the field in Tuscany flashed back. Thanks for stopping by…
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Beautiful.
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Thank you, Christine…
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Sunflowers always make me smile. They are such happy flowers. I love Sunflowers. I live in Sunflower Cres which makes me happy. My first trip to Italy was 15 years ago also.
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They are such a delight to watch. It’s interesting that we made our maiden voyages to Italy about the same time:) Hope you have had a great summer…
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I was first there almost 30 years ago..but it was the trip the summer following Pope John Paul’s death that we went to pay our respects when the sunflowers played such a dominate role. My aunt and I were together then and we followed that trip by another summer trip 6 years later…traveling all over by train–basking in the glory of the sunflowers….
we always said we’d go back—but she lost her battle with cancer today, so I will have to go back, one day, in her memory……
thank you for reminding me
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Hi Julie, I am so sorry to hear about your aunt’s passing. I hope you do go back in memory of her, to see those glorious sunflowers just as you once did with her. My thoughts are with you….thank you for staying in touch.
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Thank you so much…..
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