This is in response to forum member S-H. He was showing off his dwarf sunflower. Not to be outdone...my birdfeeder supplied this flower. This is Amorphophallus paenifolia. Just clawing its way out of the good earth to terrorize gardeners. Another pic in several weeks to see it in all its glory.
I get most of my sunflowers from the bird table too!! I'll look forward to seeing your Amorphophallus in a few weeks time. Does it smell like rotting flesh by any chance when it flowers?
This one is way bizarre. The flowers looks like a purple brain and smell of, well, they don't smell like roses. What is it about us gardeners that we go to all these extremes for the love of it? If I were sane, I would have stopped 35 yrs. ago when poison ivy taught me a lesson I've never learned. I just keep going back for more. And Agave-I haven't learned yet to not get stuck. And don't get me started with cacti...
Really loved the Sunflower! However I am somewhat perplexed (as well as amazed) to see how easily and abundantly Sunflowers grow in other parts of the world... Over here in Karachi, plant nurseries don't normally keep them (as it is a cheap plant, so very little profit can be made from it's sale). Plus the weather is also extremely hot - Which is why they usually can only be grown here as winter flowers. Otherwise you really have to care for them in summer (as I am now doing with mine).
