A Golden Glow in Okotoks: My Mystery Sunflower Story

A Golden Glow in Okotoks: My Mystery Sunflower Story

Two years ago, in the summer of 2023, I grew a radiant flower in my Okotoks garden that I believe is a type of sunflower, though its exact name escapes me. I started it from seed, drawn to its promise of beauty, and it didn’t disappoint. This photograph captures its vibrant charm—a memory of a golden bloom that brought joy to my yard and a reminder of the simple pleasures of gardening.

The flower in the image has the classic look of a sunflower, likely a variety of Helianthus annuus, with a large, round flower head filled with bright yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center packed with seeds. Its sturdy stem, standing tall at about 4 to 5 feet, and its broad, heart-shaped leaves are typical of sunflowers, though this one might be a smaller or dwarf cultivar given its slightly more compact appearance compared to the towering giants that can reach 10 feet or more. The golden petals seem to glow in the sunlight, a beacon of cheer against the backdrop of my garden, with a few green leaves framing the bloom like a natural canvas.

I likely planted this sunflower from seeds in late spring, around May 2023, just as I did with the pink cosmos I grew that same year. Sunflowers are easy to grow from seed, which aligns with my memory of starting this one that way. I would have sown the seeds directly into a sunny spot in my garden—sunflowers thrive with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight—after the last frost, ensuring the soil was well-draining. Okotoks’ climate, with its warm summer days, would have been perfect for this flower to flourish. I probably watered it regularly until it established, then let it bask in the sun, watching it grow taller each week until it bloomed in late summer, around August or September.

What I love most about this sunflower is how it embodied the spirit of my gardening adventures in Okotoks. Its bright, sunny face seemed to smile at the world, attracting bees and even the occasional butterfly, much like the pollinators I’ve always appreciated in my yard. It stood proudly alongside other blooms I’ve grown, like those delicate pink cosmos, adding a bold splash of color to my space. I can imagine taking this photo on a warm afternoon, the same kind of day when I’d later spot those chestnut Belgian Draft horses at the Okotoks parade, inspired by the beauty around me to capture the moment.

This sunflower, though I can’t recall its exact variety—perhaps a ‘Sungold’ or ‘Teddy Bear’ given its slightly fluffier, more compact look—was a testament to why I garden: for the sheer joy of watching something pretty come to life. It didn’t need a name to make me smile; its golden glow was enough. As I reflect on this flower now, with the sun trying to break through in Okotoks, I’m reminded of how these gardening memories warm my heart. This sunflower was a golden chapter in my story of growing beauty, one I’ll cherish and perhaps recreate with more seeds in the seasons to come.