Volunteer Sunflower

The sunflower presiding over my garden is a volunteer, a seed of one of the dwarf sunflowers I grew last year.  It popped up just outside the raised bed while we were away at the beach.  I have a soft spot for volunteer plants – it’s like they want to be in our yard – so I let it grow. 
It grew and grew, up to 6 feet, with a green bud on the top that reminded me of Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Feed me!  It was a bit creepy, having that blind, green thing over me as I tended the tomato and pepper plants.
Then it sprouted buds on the stalk – but still no sign of a flower.  Perhaps I had a mutant plant?
Luckily, I didn’t cut it down. Patience (and some good advice from our family plant expert) paid off with the huge, beautiful sunflower you see here. I smile every time I see it, I hope you will too.