Here’s what Alex Babich, a 47-year old Ukrainian immigrant living in Indiana, has done. He’s not just a champion—he actually set the world record for the tallest sunflower ever! Babich’s magnificent sunflower measures in at 35 feet, 9 inches, which is no small feat. It obliterates the prior best in the world from Germany by over 5 feet! This extraordinary flower, affectionately named “Clover,” symbolizes Babich’s love for his homeland, especially in light of the ongoing conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Babich started growing sunflowers seven years ago, originally as a personal homage to Ukraine. As time passed, his passion for growing these massive beauties deepened. The invasion fueled even more his desire to create something beautiful that connects with his culture and heritage. He used a 40-foot-high cherry picker to spot check Clover, leaving no inch unmeasured. He was on a WhatsApp call with a Guinness World Records official during the measurement. This was a big turn for him in his search for justice.
The first sunflower I grew was 13 feet tall, Babich remembered. “Each year, through trial and error, I managed to grow them taller—15 feet, then 19 feet.” His commitment and tenacity to this groundbreaking effort produced the record-breaking Clover. It is a central character in an upcoming documentary called “Bloom,” to be released this summer.
USFWS Babich’s 10-year-old son was instrumental in giving the sunflower its new name. They’ve relished every moment caring for Clover, building so many wonderful memories together as a family. Babich hopes that this story will outlive his generation, turning into a permanent point of pride.
“I’m going to die someday, but the stories of this flower will live on.” – Alex Babich
Like Babich’s travels, her art practice is one part personal history and one part cultural identity. While the sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower, has been adopted symbolically throughout the country to represent hope and resilience in the face of this brutal war. He expresses his desire to share this message further through seed packets labeled with the phrase:
“Spread the love – sunflower seeds.” – Alex Babich
Through his meticulous efforts and love for sunflowers, Babich has achieved what he considers “as good as it gets for someone who grows giants.” His story is a testament to perseverance and an unwavering commitment to his origins. It drives home the point that community and our shared experiences are essential in trying times.
“My kids will be telling this story to the grandkids.” – Alex Babich
