Sunflowers, whose bright, friendly blooms follow the sun’s arc across the sky, have been cultivated for thousands of years for their delicious seeds and lofty beauty. Find out why these glorious flowers of the sun are so special and how they can benefit you. Join Clallam County Master Gardener Kendra Waggoner for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation, “The Wonders of Sunflowers.”

Did you know you can eat almost all of a sunflower including the heads and roots? Or that they are being studied in outer space? Kendra will talk about the light (and dark) side of sunflowers and their depiction in art, decorations and even in the fossil record. She will discuss how the heads that contain the seeds grow in a “Fibonacci Sequence,” also known as the “Golden Ratio,” that is present in nature everywhere. Kendra will also detail how to use each part of a sunflower and how they are prepared for eating.

Kendra was born and raised in Port Angeles, proudly graduating from Queen of Angels, Port Angeles High School, Peninsula College, and The Evergreen State College. She was a banker for over 40 years and specialized in all types of lending. After retiring, Kendra became a Master Gardener in 2021 and is currently President of the Clallam County Master Gardener Foundation. In addition, she sits on a state-wide Master Gardener Advisory Committee, volunteers at the 5th Street Demonstration Garden and has two plots where she grows vegetables. Kendra loves flowers and insects and enjoys studying the sublime interaction between them resulting in food production. She is married with two children, four grandkids and a few four-legged “kids.”

The Green Thumb Education Series presentation “The Wonders of Sunflowers” will be held in person on Thursday, Oct. 10 from noon – 1 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Avenue in Port Angeles. Or you may join via Zoom from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93629898830?pwd=UnRkYjdwSGNmTnA4Y2hxVFBuRHVkZz09

Meeting ID: 936 2989 8830

Passcode: 676224

Or join by phone: 253-215-8782

The Green Thumb Education Series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2678.