When it comes to summer flowers, the sunflower is the real showstopper. These brightly colored blooms are symbols of vitality and happiness, and giving a bouquet of them is a great way to send smiles to others.
And if receiving a single arrangement of these striking flowers makes you feel that good, just imagine what visiting an entire sunflower field is like! Standing in a field surrounded by thousands of these amazing blooms is an experience you won't soon forget.
If that sounds like something you'd enjoy doing, read on to learn where to find the most stunning sunflower fields in the United States.
1. Turkovich Family Farms | Winters, California
This farm, according to Terry Selk, director of tourism for Yolo County in California (the greater Sacramento area and parts west of the city), has it all: a viewing platform setup, a farm tour, a wine tasting, and an amazing sunflower field you can explore (with purchase of a Sunflower Field Pass). Enjoy a glass of wine on the shaded patio, and then grab your camera to capture photos of sunflowers in all their glory. (Photo by Kristina Cilia)
2. Hydeout Bed and Breakfast | Highmore, South Dakota
South Dakota is the top sunflower producing state in the country. Pay a visit to the Hydeout Bed and Breakfast — whose owners, John and Beth Simonson, raise all types of crops on their farm, including sunflowers — and take a tour of the surrounding fields and facilities. You can learn all about how sunflowers are grown and harvested, as well as the agriculture industry in the area. You don't even have to be a guest of the bed and breakfast to go on an excursion. (Photo by Beth Simonson)
3. Sunflower fields of North Dakota
After South Dakota, North Dakota is next on the list of top sunflower producing states. Many fields are visible from the road, but these are usually part of private working fields, so it is best to check with the North Dakota Tourism Division when planning your visit. It maintains a weekly "bloom update" on its website from late July through August, showing visitors where they can find the best flower fields. (Photo courtesy of North Dakota Tourism)
4. Grinter Farms | Lawrence, Kansas
Kansas is known as the "Sunflower State," so it goes without saying there are some awesome fields across the state. One of the best is at Grinter Farms in Lawrence, which boasts more than 40 acres of sunflowers. Admission to this must-see stop for photos and flower picking is free, although the farm suggests you make a donation for the flowers you take home and enjoy. ("Grinter Farms 2016" by Kansas Poetry [Patrick] is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.)
5. Fausett Farms | Dawsonville, Georgia
Open to the public since 1858, this family-run farm has planted over 13 acres of sunflowers on its property. The farm is also a popular stop for horse lovers: You can bring your own horse and spend the day riding the trails around the farm while soaking up the sunflowers in full bloom. Fausett Farms also offers mule-drawn wagon rides, BBQ sandwiches, and local honey. (Photo courtesy of Fausett Farms)
6. Buttonwood Farm | Griswold, Connecticut
The fields at Buttonwood Farm have a very special purpose. Every year, the farm plants over 14 acres of sunny blooms that produce approximately 300,000 sunflowers for its “Sunflower for Wishes" annual fundraiser — all the proceeds of which benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. Buttonwood is also known for its small-batch ice cream, which comes in more than 50 flavors. ("ButtonWood_5956" by tivolatman is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.)
7. Babbette's Seeds of Hope Sunflower Maze | Eau Claire, Wisconsin
This field was planted in honor of Babbette Jaquish, who lost her battle with cancer in 2014. It now serves as a field of hope for other patients, with a mission to raise money for organizations that engage in cancer research and support patients going through cancer treatment. The fields are open 24/7 to visitors as a place of peace and solitude. (Photo courtesy of Visit Eau Claire)
8. Coppal House Farm | Lee, New Hampshire
The sunflower field at Coppal House Farm is the location for New Hampshire's longest-running sunflower festival. The yearly event runs from July to August and features music, crafts, children's story time, and, of course, sunflowers. The main field is 14 acres and is used for producing sunflower oil, which received a Good Food Award — given to exceptional food crafters who also meet certain environmental and social responsibility standards — in 2016. (Photo by John Gisis)
9. Maple Lawn Farms | New Park, Pennsylvania
One of the largest and most diverse “pick your own" sunflower farms in the U.S., Maple Lawn Farms boasts more than 50 different varieties of sunflowers and offers wagon rides out to the over 10 acres of bright blooms. During the month of August, it hosts a sunflower festival on the weekends, with food trucks and live music. In addition to sunflowers, festival goers can pick peaches and apples. (Photo courtesy of Maple Lawn Farms)
10. Schwirian Farms | Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a field of sunflowers where you have the freedom to wander in and around the blooming flowers, this farm just outside Pittsburgh is the spot for you. During the Schwirian Farm Sunflower Festival in July, visitors are invited to get up close and personal with the main attraction. Another attraction of this farm? The sheep, alpacas, and horses that live on it. The owners of the farm use the wool from these animals to manufacture socks. (Photo courtesy of Schwirian Farms)
11. Ward's Farm | Salem, New Jersey
This certified organic farm in southwestern New Jersey started as an organic vegetable farm in 2012 but switched to flowers in 2018. Today, it specializes in sunflowers and dahlias, and also grows stargazer lilies, gladiolus, zinnias, and cosmos. In addition to offering visitors the chance to pick their own sunflowers, the farm hosts events including "Sips, Sunflowers, and Sunsets" — a BYOB date night — and a yoga class in the sunflower field. (Photo by Allen Ward)
12. McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area | Poolesville, Maryland
The sunflowers in these fields are planted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a food source for mainly mourning doves, but they are also enjoyed by other songbirds as well as mammals and pollinators, such as honey bees. However, you cannot pick the flowers here, as the land is maintained by the state with the purpose of enhancing wildlife and their natural habitats. (Photo courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resources)
13. Southern Hill Farms | Clermont, Florida
When you think of sunflowers, Florida may not spring to mind, but these tall flowers can grow just about anywhere, and the Sunshine State is no exception. This 120-acre farm just outside Orlando produces a variety of fresh produce, such as blueberries and peaches, with sunflowers being a relatively new crop. Sunflowers are available to be cut and taken home during its pick-your-own events in the spring and fall. (Photo courtesy Facebook/@southernhillfarms)
AUTHOR
Janice Cox is a writer and expert on the topic of DIY Beauty and Gardening for Health and Wellness. She is the author of six best-selling books on the topic including Natural Beauty from the Garden and Beautiful Flowers. She is currently the beauty editor for Herb Quarterly Magazine and a frequent speaker at Botanical Gardens and Lifestyle events across the country. She is a member of The Herb Society of America, International Herb Association, United States Lavender Growers Association, Northwest Lavender Association, National Garden Bureau, and Garden Communicators International.
