Residents at Park View Care Home, part of the Runwood Homes group, have been celebrating the success of growing six giant sunflowers, including one that reached an impressive 10 feet tall.
Running from spring through to the summer, the sunflower project encouraged residents to discover which planting method would produce the strongest flowers. Sunflower seeds were grown indoors, planted directly into the garden, and scattered naturally, allowing residents to compare the results while taking an active role in caring for the plants.
The experiment revealed that the sunflowers planted directly into the garden thrived the most, producing six magnificent giant sunflowers.
Residents were involved every step of the way, watering the plants, monitoring their progress, measuring their height each week, and even standing beside them to compare their own height.
The project also attracted an abundance of bees, creating a welcoming habitat for wildlife while giving residents the opportunity to enjoy nature up close.
Alex, Home Manager at Park View, said:
“This year, our residents and I have had so much fun growing sunflowers together in our courtyard. We’ve lovingly cared for six giant sunflowers, and we’re so proud that one has reached an incredible 10 feet tall! We’ve all enjoyed watching them grow week by week, and it’s been wonderful to see the bees making the most of them too. We even had a friendly competition with Diane and her team-although I have to say, they didn’t quite catch us this time! It’s been a fantastic activity that has brought everyone together, and our residents have loved seeing the courtyard come to life with these beautiful flowers.”
Resident Christopher added:
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of growing the sunflowers in our courtyard this year. It has been lovely watching them get taller and stronger each week and seeing how much care everyone has put into looking after them. The 10-foot sunflower is amazing, and it has brought so much colour and happiness to our home. It’s been wonderful seeing the bees visiting the flowers too. Taking part in this activity has been a great way to spend time together with other residents, have a bit of fun, and enjoy watching our courtyard come alive.”
One of the standout moments came when residents realised one sunflower had reached an extraordinary height of 10 feet. Standing beside it for photographs quickly became a favourite activity, with smiles and laughter all around as everyone marvelled at its size.
At the heart of Park View are initiatives like these, which promote sustainability, support pollinators through bee-friendly planting, and encourage friendly competition that brings people together.
