Alex Babich, a 47-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, has set a Guinness World Record by growing a sunflower that reached 35 feet and 9 inches in his Fort Wayne, Indiana backyard.
The flower, nicknamed “Clover,” was officially measured and confirmed as the world’s tallest sunflower on 3 September, according to Guinness World Records.
The record-breaking sunflower surpassed the previous world record holder in Germany by 5 feet. Babich grew Ukraine’s national flower as a tribute to his homeland, which has been devastated by Russia’s invasion since 2022.
“I’m going to die someday, but the stories of this flower will live on,” Babich said. “My kids will be telling this story to the grandkids.”
Babich, who works as a landscape gardener, seed seller, and outdoor gear designer, immigrated to the United States at age 14 following the Chernobyl disaster. He began growing sunflowers seven years ago as a symbol of love for his home country.
The sunflower earned its nickname from Babich’s 10-year-old son, who would climb scaffolding around the plant and place four-leaf clovers on its leaves for good luck. Babich described the plant with paternal affection: “It’s one of my kids. You’re out there every day taking care of it.”
The official measurement drew a crowd of approximately 85 people, including master gardeners from a local university and representatives from the Allen County Department of Weights and Measures. A 40-foot cherry picker was used to measure the towering plant while Babich spoke by phone with Guinness World Records representatives and camera crews documented the event.
Babich’s first attempt at growing giant sunflowers seven years ago produced a 13-foot-tall plant. The current world record flower represents years of experimentation. “The record-breaking flower was the result of trial and error over the years,” Babich said.
His motivation for growing sunflowers intensified after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “We just pray that the war will end, that the killing will stop,” Babich said. “We just hope this inspires some people in the right places. It’s been long enough.”
The achievement will be featured in a documentary titled “Bloom,” scheduled for release this summer. For Babich, who describes himself as someone who grows giants, the record represents a personal milestone: “It’s very emotional. It’s as good as it gets for someone who grows giants.”