Giant sunflower, the tallest recorded, blossoms in an Indiana garden as a gesture of support for Ukraine
Record-Breaking Sunflower "Clover" Reaches New Heights
In a sunlit Indiana backyard, a sunflower named "Clover" has made history by becoming the tallest sunflower ever measured, towering at an impressive 35 feet (11 meters) high. This towering achievement was confirmed by Guinness World Records, surpassing the previous record holder in Germany by a significant 5 feet (1.5 meters).
The measurement of this colossal sunflower was no small feat. A 40-foot cherry picker was used to reach the flower's lofty heights, with about 85 people present to witness the momentous occasion. Among the spectators were several master gardeners, representatives from the Allen County Department of Weights and Measures, and a camera crew, all eager to capture this remarkable event on September 3, 2021.
The story of "Clover" is deeply personal for its grower, Ukrainian immigrant Alex Babich. Babich's love for sunflowers was sparked by food shortages in Ukraine, and his affection for them deepened after Russia's 2022 invasion. In a symbolic gesture, he named the sunflower "Clover" due to his 10-year-old son placing four-leaf clovers on the sunflower's leaves for good luck.
Babich's sunflowers have been growing progressively taller over the years, with the record-breaking flower being the result of "trial and error over years." His dedication to cultivating these impressive sunflowers has earned him a place in the spotlight, with his sunflower set to be the star of a documentary titled "Bloom," directed by Michael Wech.
Sunflowers hold a special place in Ukrainian culture, serving as the national flower and a symbol of solidarity since 2022. This is evident in a viral video clip showing a Ukrainian woman offering sunflower seeds to a Russian soldier. The seeds, as symbols of hope and resilience, serve as a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people.
In a further testament to the symbolic power of sunflowers, they were planted at the Pervomaysk missile base in 1996 to mark Ukraine's nuclear weapon disarmament. The sunflower's ability to remove toxins from the soil, as demonstrated after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, makes it a fitting choice for such a significant event.
In a fun and engaging twist, Babich has been distributing sunflower seed packets at festivals with stickers that read "Spread the love - sunflower seeds." Even the mascot of the Fort Wayne Komets minor league ice hockey team, Icy D. Eagle, was present during the measurement of "Clover."
As "Clover" continues to stand tall as a beacon of hope and resilience, it serves as a reminder of the enduring power of nature and the human spirit. Babich's sunflower is more than just a record-breaker; it is a symbol of hope, unity, and the transformative power of gardening.
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