The sunflowers have started to flower around us here in the Charente Maritime in France.
There are some small fields near us.
A little further on there are fields so large that their yellow blends into the horizon.
This year the bees and bumble bees have descended upon the sunflowers and so I presume they must be producing a good supply of nectar although it has been an overall dry season.
The different sunflower hybrids produce nectar with different sugar mass quantity so whether this season will produce an abundant honey supply or not remains to be seen.
For the moment our girls at the bottom of the garden are very busy.
a french garden 
Lovely sunflower photos! How magical.
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The sunflowers mark the summer here. Amelia
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How lovely to have such a picturesque field near your garden! The sunflowers in the garden are just about opening here too, but we rarely see a field full of them.
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We tried to grow some decorative sunflowers in the garden this year but perhaps the seed was old, but they did not grow! Amelia
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Lovely sunflowers !
I have only a giant one in the ornamental garden, but it’s not blooming at the moment.
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Even though there are so many outside, I still like some in the garden but I have missed them this year. Amelia
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Hi! It seems early to me here in Canada where we wouldn’t see sunflowers until mid-late August. What time does your lavender peak, or what time would be the best to visit to see the lavender and see it harvested? Our lavender is just out now early-mid July.
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Our lavender in the garden is out now. The clumps in full sun have been out for over a week and the more shaded ones are just coming into flower now. You have to follow the sun to the south of France to see the commercial lavender fields. The Provence region is famous for its lavender which would start probably mid June and finish mid July. Amelia
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Thanks Amelia!
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I have abiding memories of the French sunflower fields from holidays in the south west, the sight of so many yellow flowers was always impressive. Do you know if they use any pesticides on the sunflowers?
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Such a difficult subject. I think the seeds are coated – probably a fungicide. The seeds can be genetically modified to be resistant to herbicides which can be freely used in their fields to keep down the weeds. One thing I do know is that the farmers around here are totally ignorant of how it all works and only use the seeds given by their coop and follow (or not) the instructions they are given. They do not know what seeds they are using or why. They are often mainly vine growers around here and the sunflower, rape and grain are secondary concerns. They are hard working but genetical modification and the wider effects of pesticides are far beyond them. Amelia
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Gorgeous – I absolutely love sunflowers
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I love them too. I wish I had the space for the double headed varieties I see in some gardens at the moment. I might make space next year! Amelia
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