If ever there were a time to treat yourself (and others) to flowers, this is it. The recently departed 2020 was a stressful year for most people around the world, but 2021 promises to be a lot better. That’s why 2021’s flower of the year in 77084 is specifically chosen to bring happiness and joy.

This year’s flower of the year is the sturdy, cheerful sunflower. Its bold shape and color are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face, and it pairs well with many other flowers to make dramatic—and dramatically happy—arrangements. Read on to learn more about the sunflower and why it was chosen to represent this year.

What does the sunflower represent?

Sunflowers represent happiness, joy, optimism, loyalty and longevity. If you’ve ever seen sunflowers growing in the wild, you might have noticed that they turn their “faces” to the sun, just like we all do after a long, dreary winter.

Fun facts about sunflowers

The sunflower plant has been around for thousands of years and is native to North America. Its edible seeds have long been used as a food source, whether milled into flour and cakes or eaten at a summertime baseball game. Sunflower seeds can also be pressed to make sunflower oil, which is used for cooking.

There are many different sunflower varieties available, ranging in size, color and shape. The biggest ones, appropriately named giant sunflowers, can grow as high as 16 feet tall—that’s taller than many one-story houses.

Sunflowers eventually made their way to Europe in the 16^th century, and are the national flower of several countries. It’s hard to compete with their beauty, hardiness and utility.

Why sunflowers make a great bouquet choice

Sunflowers are most often bright yellow, with big black centers. Yellow is a color commonly associated with cheerfulness, positivity and energy—all things we could use more of in the coming year. If yellow’s not your style, you can often find sunflowers in shades of orange and red, as well. Sunflowers can even absorb and hold dye well if natural orange and red varieties aren’t currently available.

When it comes to hardiness, these flowers are some of the longest lasting around, even when cut. They can bring cheer for 10 days or longer. That means sunflowers make a great choice for anyone who wishes their floral arrangements wouldn’t die so quickly—as long as you change the water regularly and use the provided plant food, they’ll continue to thrive. Their thick, sturdy stalks give them a leg up on more delicate cut flowers. Keep them in a room with moderate temperatures.

If you’re thinking about getting a bouquet with 2021’s flower of the year in 77084, It’s Just For You is here to help. We offer several sunflower bouquet options, but we’re also happy to make a custom arrangement. Our family owned and operated flower shop loves a creative challenge, so call us today to schedule your next flower delivery. We look forward to hearing from you!