Liphook’s sunflower growers have shown they can handle the heat, with this year’s competition producing some impressive blooms despite a challenging growing season.

The annual competition, organised by Liphook in Bloom and sponsored by Grayshott Pottery, saw growers gather at Kiki T’s café in The Square to collect their certificates and celebrate their achievements.

Categories included tallest sunflower, most blooms and best collection of blooms in a garden.

Taking the tallest sunflower title was nine-year-old Harry, whose spectacular bloom reached an impressive 378cm. Fellow nine-year-old Thomas came second in the tallest category and took first prize for his collection of sunflowers, while Wendy claimed third place.

Liphook in Bloom chair Lesley Hollands presents certificates and prizes to this year’s competition winners, with youngsters among those celebrating their sunflower-growing success. Winners received mugs sponsored and made by Grayshott Pottery.
Liphook in Bloom chair Lesley Hollands presents certificates and prizes to this year’s competition winners, with youngsters among those celebrating their sunflower-growing success. Winners received mugs sponsored and made by Grayshott Pottery. (Liphook in Bloom)

“I’ve never entered the competition before, but it’s been exciting,” said Wendy. “I will definitely have another go.”

Local baker and caterer Gill won the most blooms category after her sunflower produced an astonishing 48 blooms.

“I am really thrilled to win,” she said. “I started growing sunflowers in 2020 and each year since then they have re-seeded. This year they produced some edible sunflower seeds so I just might put them into a limited-edition sourdough!”

Two-year-old Olivia was the youngest entrant and was highly commended in the tallest category. Father Christmas gave her the seeds and she watered and cared for the plants herself using her special watering can.

Harsha, who collected her seedling from the Liphook in Bloom stand at Picnic on the Green, took second place in the most blooms category.

“I came home with the seedling but no idea what to do with it,” she said. “It’s been lovely to watch it grow and show off to the neighbours and the grandchildren.”

Liphook in Bloom chair Lesley Hollands presented the certificates and prizes, saying the hot weather had made the entries all the more impressive.

“It was especially good that so many of our growers were youngsters and people trying to grow sunflowers for the first time,” she said.

Winners received mugs designed and made by Grayshott Pottery, which sponsored the competition.

Director Toby said: “What a tremendous effort our local growers have made.”