Derbyshire woman’s joy as giant sunflowers rise from late husband’s vegetable patch

Twenty-six sunflowers – the tallest reaching 9ft – have brightened up Pat Gore’s garden in Linden Avenue, Clay Cross.

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Pat, 76, told the Derbyshire Times: “Back in April I bought a couple of packets of seeds, planted them in little pots and put them in my greenhouse.

“When they were strong enough to go in the garden, I planted them in my late husband’s vegetable patch.

“John passed away last year and his vegetable patch was his pride and joy so I thought it was the perfect place to put them.

“I’ve been watering them every night and taking good care of them – and they’ve grown and they’ve grown and they’ve grown.

“I’m chuffed to bits with them – and I’m sure John would be too.”

She added: “When we had gusts recently I was really worried about them – but they coped.

“They’re very strong – and they’re multiplying!

“I’ve noticed lots of little sunflowers are now starting to grow from the taller ones.

“The bees love them.”

Pat said neighbours had remarked on the stunning sunflowers.

“They’ve raised some smiles during what has been a difficult time,” she added.

According to the Guinness World Records, the planet’s tallest sunflower measured 30ft 1in and was grown by Hans-Peter Schiffer in the German town of Karst, Germany in 2014.

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