Another hidden gem of Connecticut (especially for it’s photographers) is Buttonwood Farm, in Griswold.

For several weeks in July people from all over New England come to experience acres and acres of Sunflowers.

Here is part of the history of how these Sunflowers got there, right from the Buttonwood Farm website.

“In 2003 at the suggestion of a friend, we planted a one acre field of   sunflowers. As they began to blossom, we learned that people were coming from   many miles away to admire and photograph them.

We planted the sunflowers for people to admire their beauty and to compliment   our rural environment. Although the flowers were beautiful, we had not thought   about what we were going to do with them. When the blooms expired, we used them   as feed for our cows.

We felt that we could find a better use for the flowers, and in turn, have   established the “Sunflowers for Wishes” fundraiser.

The fundraiser is to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, a  non-profit organization devoted to making wishes possible for children with   life-threatening medical conditions.

In 2004 we planted 10 acres of sunflowers, providing approximately 300,000 blooms for your viewing pleasure. As the event has been so popular we will   continue to plant 14 acres again this year.”

Here are some shots before the rainy weather closed in.

The Cow Train loaded up with visitors makes it way around the acres of flowers.