It seems as though everything in nature is 4-6 weeks ahead here in Connecticut of what we are used to in Michigan. In Michigan, August is generally the hottest, the driest month. Every day feels warm and muggy, with autumn a nebulous idea that seems further and further away with each degree the mercury rises. In Connecticut, on the other hand, it seems as though early August means the first signs of fall, with more rain, slightly cooler temperatures, more fall flowers like asters, cosmos, dahlias, and even sunflowers already in full bloom. I’ve even seen a few leaves on the trees around us beginning to change colors to rich reds, oranges, and golds. Since it seems that either this is an unusual year or autumn comes earlier here in Connecticut, we decided to embrace the impending change of seasons by visiting beautiful Buttonwood Farm Sunflower Gardens.
Buttonwood Farm & Sunflower Gardens
Location: Griswold, Connecticut
Address: 473 Shetucket Turnpike
Griswold, CT, 06351
Admission: Free
Hours: Seasonal, Noon – Sunset
Parking: Free parking on site
Handicap Accessible: Yes, with dirt paths
Buttonwood Farm & Sunflower Gardens Charity Work
When we visited this past weekend, the farm was mostly empty as it had been raining on and off since the day before, which meant that we more or less had the sunflower fields to ourselves. There’s no admission cost or parking fee unless guests visit the U-Pick sunflower patch, in which case each sunflower stem is $2. The entirety of the sunflower picking proceeds is donated directly to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.
In 2021, Buttonwood Farm & Sunflower Garden raised more than $100,000 for this charity that helps make the dreams of terminally ill children come true so they and their families can create happy memories together. I can’t think of a more worthy cause to support.
While entrance and parking are both free of charge, donations are accepted, and 100% of the proceeds are given to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.
About the Sunflowers & Farm
Buttonwood Farm & Sunflower Gardens plants around 300,000 beautiful sunflowers each year in more than 14 acres of sunflower fields. The sunflower patch we visited last year when we still lived in Michigan, DeBucks Sunflower Farm, was also 14 acres. Somehow Buttonwoods Farm’s sunflower gardens felt much larger, perhaps due to its more remote and enclosed location.
The sunflowers are the primary draw for visitors, and they have a patch that rests at the foot of a hill just outside the forest. Here, visitors can sit upon the hill, overlooking the sunflowers, and admire the sea of yellow blooms. It’s truly a lovely sight to behold! In this same sunflower patch, they have created a walking path for visitors to stroll and enjoy their time at the farm amidst the flowers. Visitors are welcome to take photos on-site unless they’re conducting a professional, paid photoshoot (like engagement or senior portraits), in which case a photography fee applies, which is also donated to Make-a-Wish.
On-site is also a large ice cream store, where they offer more than 50 different flavors of ice cream, and their waffle cones and whipped cream are handmade every day from ingredients from the farm. In October, they also have a corn maze, and they normally offer many other fall activities. However, due to the pandemic, they are only offering the corn maze this year, once again.
Danielle F says
So beautiful!