Fields of sunflowers are in season and beautifying rural North Otago once again.
Topflite's sunflowers, grown by Rosedale Farming Company Ltd, have become an annual attraction in the Waitaki district, and they are about to hit their full height and bright glory.
This year, the single 45-hectare field at Rosedale Farm in Airedale Rd, Weston, is offering an impressive vision of yellow atop the township of Oamaru.
Rosedale Farm site manager Sean O’Dowda, of Oamaru, in a field of sunflowers near Weston. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
"They were hanging out for a good drink by December, which they responded really well to," Mr Mitchell said.
The family business was happy with how the sunflowers were growing and they had grown a new variety of seed this year.
Topflite originally started growing sunflowers for oil in the 1960s, but made the shift to growing them for bird clubs in 1974. Now, it plants about 150 tonnes each year, 90-95% of what is produced is used in the New Zealand birdseed market.
Harvest is expected in late March.
