ASTATULA, Fla. — Native Americans once used the colorful sunflower plant as a daily food source. Today, many people use sunflowers as inspiration for fashion, art, home décor and social media.

What You Need To Know

  • The farm is one of the only places in the country that grows sunflowers year-round
  • The adventure farm is also home to a fun zone that includes a splash pad, fishing in a pond, jumping pillow, trike races and much more

Bob Denis, better known as “Sunflower Bob,” can be described as a sunflower fanatic. 

“We have been planting once a week for 15 years,” said Denis. 

Around 70% of his 23-acre property is dedicated to sunflowers.

He has created a special spot in Central Florida where anyone can come year-round to cut and take home sunflowers.

For a small fee ($15 per person) guests are given a vase, cutters and the fun of walking the rows of towering plants and finding the perfect sunflowers to take home.

Sunflower enthusiast Laura O’Berry loves to visit the farm each year.

“When you look at them and it brings brightness, sunshine into their home. It brings joy,” said O’Berry.

Visitors also travel to Astatula in Lake County from around the country to come cut flowers and photograph the experience, often to be used on social media.

Most sunflower farms are located in the Midwest and have a limited growing season.

Sunflower Bob grows the bright flowers year-round thanks to Florida’s warm climate and his weekly planting season.

“This is our next crop that will be coming up in two or three weeks,” he said.

Family is important to Sunflower Bob, and he has created a large adventure farm/park for all ages to enjoy.

The adventure farm is home to a fun zone that includes a splash pad, a stocked fishing pond, jumping pillow, trike races and much more.

“This farm is set up for one reason. To have a place where young families can come and play together. With the idea if we can keep them playing together, there is a better chance of them staying together,” said Denis.

He likes when his family helps on the farm, including his granddaughter Ella, who works in the gift shop and has her own line of products at age 6.

“This is where she has her own jams and jellies. Her own brand of honey. And she sells everything here on the weekends,” he said.

Guests must make an appointment for picking sunflowers, and or, the adventure farm that is only open on weekends.

The cost to come and cut sunflowers is $15 per person.

For more information, call 321-228-7608.