What else can remind one of the sweet summer days more than sunflowers swaying in the gardens? Sunflower or Helianthus is popular around the world for its large attractive blooms, oil extract and seeds. The name Helianthus is derived from two words, Helio meaning, sun and Anthus meaning flower. Hence the name Sunflower. The large flower heads of the Sunflower plant follow the direct rays from the sun. The plant has a thick, erect stem with a large golden-yellow flower at the top. Sunflower grows best in locations with full sun. Their resistance to pests, good heat tolerance makes them an ideal summer flower. Pollinators like bees and small birds are attracted to the sunflower bloom and they make for a great cut-flower.