Grandad’s girls grow glorious giant flowers

John Ball, of Greenfield Close, Dunstable, had help with his giant flowers from his granddaughters Kimberley, aged eight, and three-year-old Charlotte over the summer holidays.

He said: “They come and stay with me while they are off school and they have been helping to water them.”

The tallest plant in the garden is 10ft 9ins.

But despite the assistance from his little helpers, John’s sunflowers are not as big this year as last.

In 2009 he managed to grow a massive 13ft 4ins plant – which is just over four metres tall.

John told the Gazette: “I’ve used the same seed from the plant last year but because the weather has not been as good it’s not as big. But it is still pretty big.”

> Have you grown giant sunflowers? Let us know, our contact details are on the facing page.