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Friday, October 23, 2026

Faces of Sunflowers

 

Years ago I planted a Swamp Sunflower or Narrowleaf Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) in my side garden that faces the cross street. The name already says it - it is for damp gardens. As you know, I have a dominantly California natives garden that is also a dry or at least low water garden. So this plant doesn't really fit in. I planted it when I still wasn't quite sure where I was going with my garden.

Despite its name, it started to thrive on total neglect and hardly any summer water.

This particular sunflower blooms very late - here in my corner it displays its gorgeous yellow flowers at the end of September / beginning of October. It is such a happy sight in a fading autumn garden. When I saw how it was glowing in the evening sun, I snapped a few photos just to capture the light.

Happy faces for Nicole's Friday Face Off

The flowers don't keep particularly long, because just like clockwork a late heat wave finds us in October and the bloom is over quickly. Every year. This year the heat wave arrived a bit later, so we were able to enjoy the flowers a little bit longer than usual.


The tiny flowers on long stalks in front of the Swamp Sunflower is Naked Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum), a California native and a favorite of mine.





20 comments:

  1. Lovely faces of the beautiful sunflowers ~ Hugs ^_^

    https://anartistreflects.com

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  2. Pretty sunny faces indeed. There are so many sunflowers, the more the merrier!

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  3. Those sunflowers are gorgeous. I love that they are perennials too. What a show they put on for you, and since you shared the photos, for us too. Have a super weekend ahead. hugs-erika

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  4. I enjoyed learning about this sunflower. Funny how some plants seem determined to succeed no matter where they're planted! Those sunny yellow faces are such a welcome sight at the end of the season.

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  5. They are survivors. I have some similar ones that only bloom in September and this year in October. I love your photos.

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  6. Such bright little faces greeting you every day, Carola. What could be nicer than that? Many hugs - David

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  7. What beautiful flowers, and it's so nice to have late bloomers when everything else is fading away.

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  8. Ohhh how beautiful!!!! I love that these flowers are in survival mode. It is amazing how things grow and what they will put up with. LOL You know I love the face of a flower. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a nice weekend.

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  9. I am glad that flower survived even if it was neglected and ignored. That's my kind of plant. And, yes,, I call those black-eyed Susans and they are a favorite of mine. I think of my daughter Susan every time I see them.

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  10. Beautiful flowers, thanks for sharing the photos.

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  11. They DO have the best faces, don't they?

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  12. Son unas flores muy bonitas, yo las tengo parecidas. Besos.

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  13. A cheerful bit of color goes a long way and these sunflowers did not disappoint.

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  14. In Erwartung des Winters sind die gelben Sonnenblumengesichter ein letztes Geschenk des Herbstes. Danke dafür.

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  15. A very beautiful flower. I prefer ones like this over a rose with dewdrops. To me, that’s a bit too much or perhaps I just don’t like it because everyone else does.:)
    I see a lot of yellow these days. The leaves have turned a golden yellow and the most beautiful phase of autumn has arrived.
    All the best to you. Éva from Hungary

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  16. Wow, that one thrived! Looks so nice in the autumn sun.

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