Sunflowers are a great addition to any sunny garden: attractive to us and to pollinators they also provide food for birds and other creatures.
Most helianthus or sunflowers are native to North America (67 of the ~70 species known). The common name, "sunflower" typically refers to the popular annual species Helianthus annuus, or the common sunflower, whose round flower heads look like the sun. For a fantastic view of 9 large fields of sunflowers in bloom, visit the McKee - Beshers Wildlife Management Area in late July.
Click below for a slideshow of McKee-Besher sunflowers.