Origins
Ancient Peruvian sun worshippers revered the sunflower, which derives its name from the Greek words helios, meaning "sun," and anthos, meaning "flower." A native of North America, Helianthus annuus, the best-known of these bold, cheery flowers grows as an annual, and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Popular cultivars include 'Abendsonne,' with its 7- to 8-foot-tall bronze-centered yellow flowers, 'Full Sun,' a gold-yellow 3- to 4-foot flower, 'Goldburst,' a 3- to 4-inch-wide double-flowered golden bloom, and 'Sunbright,' a long-lasting variety with 4- to 5-inch-wide flower heads. Minature varieties such as 'Sonia,' pictured at right, are also available. Helianthus decapetalus, a smaller-flowered species, is also useful in floral design. Although sunflowers can reach diameters as large as 1 foot, the varieties used by florists average about 6 inches across.