Is there a happier flower than a sunflower? I don't think so. They're bold and cheerful and unapologetically themselves — tall, bright, and always turning toward the light. I grow them every year in the cutting garden, and from July through September, there are sunflowers in every room of the house.

Simple Vase Arrangements

The simplest sunflower arrangement is often the best. A handful of sunflowers in a mason jar, a galvanized bucket, or a simple ceramic vase — that's it. No fussing, no arranging. Just cut the stems to different heights, fill the vessel with water, and let them do their thing. For a more polished look, mix sunflowers with other late-summer flowers: zinnias, dahlias, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses all pair beautifully.

A Sunflower Wreath

A sunflower wreath on the front door is one of the most welcoming summer decorations I know. You can make one with fresh sunflowers (it will last about a week), dried sunflowers (which last all season), or faux sunflowers (which last indefinitely). To make a simple fresh wreath, wire sunflower heads onto a grapevine wreath form, filling in with greenery and smaller flowers. It's easier than it looks and the result is stunning.

Sunflowers on the Table

For a summer tablescape, a loose arrangement of sunflowers in a low vessel makes a beautiful centerpiece. Keep it simple — a few sunflowers, some greenery, maybe a candle or two on either side. For a more casual look, scatter individual sunflower heads in small bud vases down the center of the table. It's effortless and charming.

In the Kitchen

A single sunflower in a small vase on the kitchen windowsill is one of my favorite kitchen touches. It's simple, it's cheerful, and it costs almost nothing if you grow your own. A bunch of sunflowers in a large pitcher on the kitchen counter makes the whole room feel like summer.

Dried Sunflowers

Don't throw away your sunflowers when they start to fade. Hang them upside down in a warm, dry place and let them dry completely. Dried sunflowers are beautiful in fall arrangements, and the seed heads are a wonderful treat for the birds.

Growing Your Own

If you want an endless supply of sunflowers for decorating, grow your own. Sunflowers are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed — direct sow after the last frost, water regularly, and they'll reward you with armloads of blooms. I grow several varieties: Lemon Queen (pale yellow, multi-branching, perfect for cutting), Autumn Beauty (a mix of gold, rust, and burgundy), Velvet Queen (deep red-brown, dramatic and unusual), and Mammoth (the classic giant sunflower). Plant a new row every two weeks from late spring through early summer for a continuous harvest all season long.

Sunflowers are summer distilled into a single flower. Bring them inside and let them fill your home with that same warmth and light.