3.65m tall sunflower takes gardener by surprise

Michael Van der Meer and his wife were shocked when the flourishing sunflower appeared in their garden. Photo / Paul Taylor

Long-time gardener Michael Van der Meer was surprised when a giant sunflower plant appeared in his front garden.

The Onekawa resident said the self-sown sunflower first appeared around three months ago after he put homemade compost made of lawn clippings, food scraps and weeds on the garden.

While most sunflower plants have one large flower, the large plant continued to grow multiple flowers on its side.

Van der Meer said there are now around half a dozen smaller sunflowers growing on the 3.65m sunflower.

The plant sits around 3m from the couple's front door.

"When people drive past, they slow down to have a look," he said.

Van der Meer plans to dry out the seeds from the sunflowers to plant new plants next sunflower season.

Now almost 90, Van der Meer has been gardening since retirement.

"I couldn't just sit still, I wanted to do something worthwhile with my time. It relaxes me and I've met some great people through gardening," he said.