Sunflowers in full bloom ahead of Surf Coast celebration

Torquay resident Jennie Boyce was unaware of the Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers, but since hearing about it, she intends to look into the event as an avid gardener. Photos: SUPPLIED

PRIZES in nearly a dozen categories will be up for grabs when the second annual Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers arrives in Torquay.

Despite a slow start to the sunflower season, organiser Bronwyn McNamee said the free community event from 10am on January 28 would be loaded with exceptional blooms.

“After crazy weather to start this summer, this second annual sunflower competition will be a joyful, light-hearted opportunity for Surf Coasters to show off the sunflowers that they have managed to grow,” Ms McNamee said.

“On the grass opposite Front Beach Café, there will also be space for folk to bring and place their sunflowers to be judged for a range of awards.”

Categories on offer include:
Small fun ‘sunflower’ prizes
Tiniest
Tallest
Heaviest head
Widest flower
Prettiest (potted or in a vase)
Most colourful
Most attractive multi-headed
Most joyful, and
Most unusual.

Preparations for this month’s celebration began last October when volunteers dispatched more than 2,500 seed packets across the Surf Coast.

Torquay resident and avid gardener Jennie Boyce, whose residence is located on the Surf Coast Highway, was just one of the locals who grabbed a packet for home use, and said the results were tremendous.

“I didn’t actually know about the upcoming celebration, but I grabbed a couple of packets for myself and some friends, and they have gone absolutely gangbusters.

“They look terrific, and they are a happy flower. I think people see them and it brings a smile to their faces which is probably what the celebration organisers are going for.

“There are about 25 flowers at my home that have grown into bloom, each with several heads on them.

“Sunflowers certainly have a joyful connotation, an example being if you hand someone a seed, you’re essentially passing on your love and happiness to someone else.”

Ms Boyce said she would certainly attend the Celebration Day on January 28 to peruse the full range of sunflowers.

Sunflower growers with a small-medium cut sunflowers attending the Celebration Day are encouraged to them in something with water to keep the flower at its best for display.