Sunflower season is here: Where you can go to enjoy the view in Eastern Connecticut

Blaine Callahan, The Bulletin
·2 min read

Summer is in full swing. We've reached that time of year where sunflowers are in bloom across Connecticut. We've compiled a list of stops in New London and Windham counties where you can enjoy the sights and pick up a bouquet of those tall, yellow flowers for yourself.

Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream in Griswold

Family-owned since 1975, Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream is a wonderful Griswold summertime stop. Along with ice cream and cattle, Buttonwood runs a Sunflowers for Wishes fundraiser, where 100% of proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. They've donated over $1 million so far thanks to the generosity of their visitors.

Emily Meigs of East Lyme, left, and Amanda Hester of Montville walk through a field of sunflowers in 2020 at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold.
Emily Meigs of East Lyme, left, and Amanda Hester of Montville walk through a field of sunflowers in 2020 at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold.

The 14-acre farm is open daily rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Raspberry Knoll Farm in North Windham

Whether you're looking for berries, pickles, or sunflowers aplenty, Raspberry Knoll Farm has you covered. Visit their expansive Flower Field, whether it's a day trip or a planned event. You'll be happy with their expansive selection, including those seasonal sunflowers blooming in the hundreds. Just make sure you have cash!

Kelly Cahill of Burrillville, R.I., points out bees in a sunflower to her daughter, Alexis, in a sunflower field at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold.
Kelly Cahill of Burrillville, R.I., points out bees in a sunflower to her daughter, Alexis, in a sunflower field at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold.

Lapsley Orchard in Pomfret

A popular spot for apples and other seasonal fruits, Lapsley Orchard is known for their flora as well. Their 200-acre farm with roots back to the 1750s is ready for sunflower season, with plenty to peruse and purchase as you please.

Raspberry Knoll is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Wednesday, until 7 p.m. on Thursday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Lyman Orchards in Middlefield

A trip to Lyman Orchards requires crossing the Connecticut River, but it may be worth it.

A bee lands on a sunflower at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold.
A bee lands on a sunflower at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold.

This year the farm's annual sunflower maze returns with an ode to children's favorite Daniel Tiger.

The 3 acre maze will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and guests will enjoy butterflies and yellow finches, with the surrounding orchards hills as a beautiful scenic backdrop.

The maze will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for ages 4 – 12, and free for children under 3 years. The last entrance to the maze is at 4:30 p.m. For daily updates on the maze and Pick Your own, call our 24-hour hotline at 860-349-6015.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Sunflowers in eastern CT: Where you can go to enjoy the view