Sunflowers are huge plants with bright yellow flowers.They have a long history in North America.There is evidence they were used for food and for medicine by Native Americans beginning around 1,000 B.C.The seeds from sunflowers were likely brought to Europe by Spanish explorers around the late 16th century.Over time, they found their way to Eastern Europe.Today, Ukraine is the world's leading producer of the plants.Sunflowers are grown for their seeds and to make oil.The plant has increasingly become popular on social media.That is because users enjoy taking pictures of themselves in bright fields of sunflowers.The photos are called "sunflower selfies."Gardening expert and writer Jessica Damiano recently wrote a story about growing sunflowers for The Associated Press.It is easy to grow your own sunflowers, she writes.Small versions of the plants can even be grown in containers.If you start growing sunflower from seeds, put them in room-temperature water for 2-8 hours before planting to start the growing process.
