when bees meet sunflowers: old wisdom vs. new gardens

I remember summers from my childhood, watching my grandmother tend her sunflowers. She believed every bee was a blessing, a sign of a healthy garden and a promise of golden seeds for the winter. Yesterday, I saw two bees land on my own sunflower, and for a moment, it felt like those flowers had eyes—watching over my little patch just as hers did. But times have changed. My neighbors worry about bees—some fear allergies, others complain about the mess or the wild look of native plants. The community board even debates if we should stick to tidy, non-native blooms for the sake of uniformity. I can’t help but wonder: are we losing something precious in our quest for order and safety? Here in North America, our seasons are shifting. Last year’s drought left many gardens bare, and only the old sunflowers, tough and stubborn, survived. Newer, imported varieties wilted under the heat. My grandmother’s wisdom echoes louder than ever—plant what belongs, and the bees will come. Do we honor tradition and let our gardens buzz with life, or do we follow the new rules for a picture-perfect yard? I’d love to hear your stories—have you faced this clash in your own backyard? #sunflowers #bees #gardeningdebate #Gardening