Portage la Prairie is making a meaningful gesture of solidarity this summer — planting sunflowers for their bright, cheerful beauty, but also for their deeper cultural significance.
As part of the 2025 Communities in Bloom campaign, which highlights Edible Gardens as this year’s theme, Portage and neighbouring Southport are encouraging residents to plant the bright yellow flower across their cities. From backyards to schoolyards, civic buildings to community gardens, the goal is to brighten the landscape while showing ongoing support for Ukraine.
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Community-led inspiration
Yvette Cuthbert, a board member with Communities in Bloom Portage, says the idea was inspired by a quiet moment on a local walking path.
“Last fall, I was walking down the Crescent pathway and near the West End, there were three or four sunflowers just on the edge of the lake. They were so pretty, and it was so nice that I just happened to pass by them," Cuthbert explains. “Of course, it seems like the whole world is in turmoil, but Ukraine has been dealing with this war for over three years, and it doesn't seem to be wrapping up anytime soon. They've been struggling for a long time, and we can't forget about them.”
From there, the idea took root. With sunflowers already tied to Ukrainian identity and tradition, Cuthbert saw an opportunity to turn that inspiration into a broader community effort.
“With being in Communities in Bloom, I thought we could show our support by planting sunflowers. I just thought about how nice it would be to have this wonderful symbol all over the city.”
In preparation for the upcoming Communities in Bloom judging later this summer, Cuthbert and the committee have packaged 500 sets of edible sunflower seeds for residents. Cuthbert also plans to deliver seed packets to local schools in hopes that students will plant them along fences and other visible spots throughout the city.
More than a flower
Cuthbert says the project goes beyond beautification. It’s also a tribute to the local Ukrainian community and a reminder that global conflict touches lives close to home.
“They're bright, cheerful, and it's also in support of the many people in our community who have ties with Ukraine and everything that's going on there. It's to show we haven't forgotten.”
The sunflower, or soniashnyk, has been grown in Ukraine since the 18th century. Cultivated for its seeds and oil, it has become widely recognized as a symbol of strength, resilience, and peace.
“We just learned that when we were presenting to the city! We were thinking sunflowers because they're symbolic of Ukraine. We didn't realize it was their national flower as well. So, it's great, and Communities in Bloom is also promoting edible gardens this year. So, it’s perfect, it all works.”
As blooms appear across Portage and Southport this summer, they’ll do more than decorate the landscape. They will also be visible symbols of unity, empathy, and shared purpose.
Sunflower seeds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be picked up at City Hall, the Portage library, and the Southport Administrative Building.