SUNFLOWERS WITH A HEART

Sunflowers, which by September have started to go to seed, can be made into an attractive table decoration which has a second life as a meal for garden birds. The flowers are cut when the heads have begun to nod and the petals started to dry out. Having reached this state, they are promptly cut, as a shower of rain can cause them to rot. Any remaining petals are picked off and the inner florets carefully brushed away with the fingertips. The shape of a heart is left in the centre of the flower. It is now ready to be placed on the table, where it can be used as a centrepiece or place setting. Afterwards, it is carried out to the garden, making a popular snack for visiting birds.