July 19, 2019
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Summertime is for slowing down and smelling the flowers. Take a trip to one of these sunflower fields near the D.C. area to fill your Instagram with yellow.
Flower lovers should note: Different flowers bloom at different times in different locations.
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McKee-Beshers, Montgomery County, Maryland
The sunflowers were planted in May at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area in Montgomery County and officially fully bloomed starting July 8. Those visiting later in the season may have already missed the sunflowers’ peak bloom. The DNR says the sunflowers will remain in full bloom for about two weeks. You can check the status of the flowers on their website.
Sunflowers are planted to serve as a food source for wildlife. While the public is welcome to visit the sunflowers in bloom, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources also urge visitors to be careful not to cut or trample the flowers: “Visitors must be responsible and ensure that their actions don’t have negative consequences.”
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Southern Maryland Sunflower Festival, Charles County, Maryland
Farm Heritage Conservancy will host its first sunflower festival on Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1, at Serenity Farm in Benedict, Maryland. The event promises food, music, fun and, of course, sunflowers.
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Rocky Point Creamery, Frederick County, Maryland
Rocky Point Creamery in Frederick County, Maryland, hopes to have sunflower blooms by the end of the month. Follow the creamery’s Facebook page for the latest sunflower bloom updates.
You can still take advantage of the creamery’s 80 different ice cream flavors — all homemade — and maybe even enjoy some goat yoga next time it’s offered.
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Sunflower Garden Westminster, Maryland
The Sunflower Garden in Westminster, Maryland, is a small flower farm specializing in sunflowers. Peak sunflower season is in late August. But in the meantime, the farm also has about 10 different flower varieties and even tomatoes.
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Maryland Agriculture Resource Council, Cockeysville, Maryland
Starting at the end of August, you can pick your own sunflowers along the Cockeysville, Maryland, farm. For the small price of $1 per stem or $10 per dozen, an outing to the farm can be a daylong, family friendly event. The farm has also added a small plot of zinnias this year, to add a bit more color variety to your bouquet.
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Burnside Farms. Nokesville, Virginia
Pick your own sunflowers in this Prince William County field through Labor Day. The farm boasts more than 30 varieties throughout 8 acres and one of the nation’s only sunflower mazes. The sunflower maze booms for about two weeks and bloom times vary every year, according to the farm’s website.
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Fields of Flowers, Loudoun County, Virginia
This pick-your-own flower farm in Purcelville hosts a variety of flowers — not just sunflowers. Marigolds, white shasta daisies, verbana and lesser hydrangeas are blooming as of July 8, according to the field’s website. Each flower has its own blooming season, so visitors should keep up with Fields of Flowers’ Facebook page for the latest updates.
