Solar-powered flowers are fab (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Solar-powered flowers are fab
11:00am Wednesday 7th September 2011 in News By Emily Roberts
Paulette Clift beside her giant sunflowers Buy this photo »
THE world record is 8.03 metres, and while these two sunflowers might not expect a visit from the Guinness World Records people just yet, they have at least impressed those living in Brighton Hill.
The giant flowers were planted by Paulette Clift in May, and spurted up to a great height, reaching her upstairs bedroom window in no time at all.
The mother of three from Elgar Close, Brighton Hill, said passers-by stopped to admire the flowers, and she even had one man knocking on her door to comment.
The 39-year-old, who works at Asda, said: “He said ‘Your sunflowers are really big’ and then walked off. They are much bigger than last year. My neighbours have been taking pictures of them and putting them on Facebook.”
The world record for the tallest sunflower is held by German flight attendant Hans Peter Schiffer, who claimed it in 2009.
A Brit has not held the record since 1976 when Frank Kelland from Exeter fed his plants using liquid manure and water from his washing up bowl because of a drought.
Miss Clift has no secret gardening tips to offer, and added: “I don’t know why they got so big. Perhaps it’s all the rain. My front garden is my pride and joy, so I was pleased that they grew well. Lots of people stop to admire them as they walk past.”
