A new community gardening project invites you to plant and grow sunflowers and learn about their connection to CU Boulder.
One Seed is a program from the University Libraries that invites the campus community to explore the history of the Cockerell Sunflower, a red sunflower native to Boulder by growing seeds and sharing the results. The Cockerell Sunflower was discovered in 1910 by Wilmatte Cockerell, a high school biology teacher. With husband Theodore Cockerell, a Zoology professor at CU Boulder from 1904 to 1934, the pair cultivated the plant together.
Today the Cockerell Sunflower can be found throughout the world.
The University Libraries Archives holds 60 linear feet of physical archival materials from the Cockerells, including the original red sunflower—now nearly a century old. Elements of the T.D.A. Cockerell Collection have been digitized and can be found via the CU Digital Library.
- Use the CU Digital Library to explore the online collection
- Make an appointment to study the collection in person
The University Libraries and the Learning and Engagement team are committed to supporting students’ celebration of Earth Day as well as establishing connections in a community-driven project to cultivate and grow sunflowers through the One Seed Project.
Pick up your sunflower seed packets from Norlin Library in celebration of Earth Day and look out for tips from the Libraries on how to best tend to your plants as they grow.
- Date: Friday, April 22, 2022
- Time: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Location: Norlin Library’s East Entrance
Seed packets will also be available after Earth Day at the Ask a Librarian desk on the 2nd floor of Norlin Library.