Did you know that the sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine? In fact, Ukraine produces more sunflower oil than any other country on the planet.

Between Ukraine and Russia they export about 80 per cent of the world’s sunflower oil and Ukrainian exports have fallen by 95 per cent due to Russia’s attacks. A global shortage is expected and some restaurants in Germany have already stopped selling chips because cooking oil is so hard to get.

Amid these dreadful times, the bright and beautiful sunflower has become a powerful symbol of the resistance of the Ukrainian people.

There has long been a particular fascination with the sunflower as it moves in response to the sun’s daily traverse across the sky. The young buds of sunflowers move every day from east to west to face the sun, finally settling on facing east when the flowers open. It gives sunflower fields an astonishing regularity with all flowers pointing in the same eastwards direction.

Sunflowers are an annual plant, which means they germinate, grow, flower, set seed and die all within one year. Despite this fast life cycle, ornamental varieties can grow up to 9m (nearly 30ft) tall. Their fast progress also makes them an ideal plant for children as it holds their interest while they marvel at its growth.

In a bid to make the thousands of Ukrainian refugees feel welcome and at home in Ireland, I’m sending sunflower seeds to Tidy Towns and Community groups throughout the country.

Thanks to the good people at Unwins Seeds and Suttons Seeds, I have sent out several hundred packs, and I can’t wait to see the bright yellow symbols of solidarity across the country in the summer.

Planting your sunflower seeds:

Many people would have planted their sunflower seeds earlier in the year but the month of May is still plenty of time to have summer flowering.

One option is to start the seeds off indoors in little pots of compost, sow the seed about half an inch to an inch beneath the soil surface. The advantage of starting them off inside is that they will flower earlier and stronger for summer.

Alternatively, planting in the month of May means you can also sow the seeds directly into the garden soil where you want them to grow. Again, make a little hole in the soil about an inch under the surface, pop the sunflower seed in, give it water and let the magic of nature takeover.

Naturally, sunflowers will need a corner of the garden that is west or south facing to make sure they get plenty of sunshine. I would also suggest choosing a sheltered spot, possibly along a wall, so their long stems aren’t bent by high winds before they can reach their full potential.

Other than regular watering, sunflowers need little maintenance, however as they grow very tall you will need to stake them.

Be warned, however, that slugs and snails love sunflowers and all your hard work could be easily obliterated in one night. Opt for environmentally sound barrier products like copper wire or sheep's wool that will keep slugs away from your flowers, but leave them alive and healthy for birds and hedgehogs to feed on.

Like the sunflowers seeds that germinate to cover ground each spring and eventually rise to find the light, we can only hope the same bright future lies ahead for the Ukrainian people.

You can take part in the initiative and show your solidarity with the Ukrainian people by planting your own sunflowers. You can also join the Facebook group ‘ Irish Sunflowers for Ukraine ’ where people can seek advice, offer tips and share their progress.

Please post your pics of sunflower, seeds, seedlings and blooms in this group and do use the tag #irishsunflowersforukraine.