Look at the bright side: Life lessons from a radiant sunflower.

The Borings on Parman Road changed things up this year and their efforts did not go unnoticed. Their field of sunflowers has been a sight to enjoy for the better part of the summer and much of the fall. Photo credit: Amber Yanovich.

by Amy Haggerty

Take it from this author: a golf-cart ride down Parman Road toward O’Brien Road will have you marveling at the most wonderful sight–a farm field of sunflowers owned by Tim and Kara Boring! This amazing view won’t last long. Soon the Borings plan on using a giant combine to harvest the field of flowers so they can then sell the seeds.

Is anyone else as curious as this author about why sunflower blooms always face toward the east horizon? Upon researching, you’ll learn that it seems to be a misconception that mature sunflowers in full bloom move their heads to follow the sun. Mature sunflowers don’t, but young sunflowers do. In the early stages of growth, the buds move their position to follow the sun as it moves east to west. This allows young flowers to grab as much sunlight as possible throughout the day.

How exactly do the buds move? Their movement is controlled by the expansion of their stems. During the day, the east side expands; at night it’s west-side expansion. In the evening when the sun sets, the sunflower buds prepare for the next day. They move their heads toward the east waiting for the arrival of the morning sun. Meanwhile, the most mature buds will always be facing east.

So next time you drive by a field of sunflowers, take note: humans have so much we can learn from a sunflower! To start with, always try to look on the bright side of life. Thinking like an optimist can boost your mood, which, in turn, increases lifespan and leads to a happier, more fulfilled life. It may sound silly to some, but what would it hurt if we all tried to live our lives through the example of the sunflower?

It has been an extraordinary experience watching this field develop all summer long. Neighbors of the Borings will truly miss seeing the field every day once the cold weather sets in. But if we’re lucky, these local farmers will delight us again next year with sunflowers to experience in our little corner of Stockbridge.