Explore our sunflower Field
Our beautiful sunflower field is returning this summer for that picture-perfect experience. With three acres to explore, our field features five varieties of sunflowers native to Indiana while inspiring conversations about how these sun-drenched flowers are important to habitats and the environment. From special pop-up wedding ceremonies to professional photoshoots and more, soak up the final days of summer. Sunflowers rely on mother nature; don’t delay in experiencing their beauty.
Supported by Corteva
What type of sunflower is your favorite?
There were 5 varieties of Sunflower seeds planted on three acres totaling approximately 115,000 seeds or 37,000 per acre.
Black Oil Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Black Oil Sunflower is an open-pollinated sunflower variety primarily used for sunflower seed or sunflower oil production. It can also be very effective when used as a warm-season cover crop and help to remove any soil impurities that might be present. They have a very deep root system that helps to cycle and scavenge nutrients from the deep. Growth Heights reach 24” – 60”
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia Pulchella)
A variety sure to create concentric bands of rich reds, deep golds and radiant yellows with simi-double blooms. Indian Blanket is also known for its medicinal properties and popularity pollinators like butterflies and native bees. This variety can grow up to 5-feet tall while their intricate designs blaze across wide expanses of land.
Mammoth Gray – Stripe (Helianthus annuus)
The most familiar and iconic of all the classic sunflowers, our Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower seeds may look like the kind you can eat, but we think you'll find them much more rewarding when planted in a sunny location. These beautiful flowers live up to their name and can grow up to a towering 12-feet high with 10+ inch blooms!!
Orange Sun (Helianthus annuus)
A pollen rich sunflower attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds with its astonishing orange appearance. The Mexican sunflower's stalks are hollow and a bit brittle with a soft downy fuzz. Growth Heights reach up to 6-feet tall.
Golden Bear (Helianthus annuus)
The Golden Bear sunflower is a dwarf sunflower that only grows between two- to three-feet tall. This variety has a head with fluffy golden petals that is open pollinated. Golden Bear is also very popular with pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which, also makes it easy to grow and maintain.
What type of sunflower is your favorite?
There were 3 varieties of Sunflower seeds planted on three acres totaling approximately 115,000 seeds or 37,000 per acre.
Black Oil Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Black Oil Sunflower is an open-pollinated sunflower variety primarily used for sunflower seed or sunflower oil production. It can also be very effective when used as a warm-season cover crop and help to remove any soil impurities that might be present. They have a very deep root system that helps to cycle and scavenge nutrients from the deep. Growth Heights reach 24” – 60”
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia Pulchella)
A variety sure to create concentric bands of rich reds, deep golds and radiant yellows with simi-double blooms. Indian Blanket is also known for its medicinal properties and popularity pollinators like butterflies and native bees. This variety can grow up to 5-feet tall while their intricate designs blaze across wide expanses of land.
Mammoth Gray – Stripe (Helianthus annuus)
The most familiar and iconic of all the classic sunflowers, our Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower seeds may look like the kind you can eat, but we think you'll find them much more rewarding when planted in a sunny location. These beautiful flowers live up to their name and can grow up to a towering 12-feet high with 10+ inch blooms!
Orange Sun (Helianthus annuus)
A pollen rich sunflower attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds with its astonishing orange appearance. The Mexican sunflower's stalks are hollow and a bit brittle with a soft downy fuzz. Growth Heights reach up to 6-feet tall.
Golden Bear (Helianthus annuus)
The Golden Bear sunflower is a dwarf sunflower that only grows between two- to three-feet tall. This variety has a head with fluffy golden petals that is open pollinated. Golden Bear is also very popular with pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which, also makes it easy to grow and maintain.
Features
You’ll discover a field of beauty with over 3 acres to explore. Enjoy thousands of blooms as you walk through our paths and find the perfect photo opportunities.
Weddings
Enjoy the ease and simplicity of a Conner Prairie Microwedding* in a truly special outdoor setting. The Sunflower Field has been groomed to create a picture-perfect ceremony and reception backdrop.
Learn more about weddings at Conner Prairie.
*Limited availability.
General Visit
Click here to reserve your general admissions tickets online!
Free Tram rides are available.
Professional Photographs
All sunflower field professional photo shoot pass options are closed.
After you're finished exploring our sunflower field, head over to our Museum store and shop our sunflower-themed items.
Programming
In September our sunflower field is alive with five varieties of sunflowers. During its two-week peak bloom, we are providing three free days with our community partners — Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District and Hamilton East Public Library.
Join us on September 5 and 12 from 10 a.m. - noon to learn about the benefits of cover crops, information on soil testing and an activity to celebrate soil and sunflowers with Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
On September 16 Join Hamilton East Public Library as they read stories, sing songs, participate in art activities and celebrate the blooming sunflowers. Discover the transformation of a tiny seed to a flower with Hamilton East Public Library as they bring seeds from their Seed Library.
These programs are free with general admission.
Did you know?
- Sunflowers are native to the Americas.
- Each sunflower is actually made up of thousands of individual flowers.
- The tallest sunflower on record was over 30 feet tall. (Germany, confirmed by Guinness World Records on 8/28/2014)
- Sunflowers have been an important food source for the indigenous people of North and Central America. They have been cultivated for food, medicine, dye, and oil for more than 3,000 years.
- Sunflower seeds follow a Fibonacci sequence as they swirl around the head of the sunflower. You can see this same swirling sequence in things like a Chambered Nautilus shell and other things in nature.
- Sunflowers will follow the sun during the day. Once a flower has fully matured, it remains fixed to the east.
Share your photos from our Sunflower Field!
Photography Policy
Conner Prairie Sunflower Field Photography Policy.
Contact Info@Connerprairie.org for Photography outside of regular business hours Tuesday-Sunday; 10am-5pm.
With acres of opportunity to get that perfect shot, Conner Prairie is the perfect destination for your professional photos.
Regular business hours; Tuesday- Sunday, 10am-5pm.