I've been browsing the gallery for Thanksgiving cake ideas, and have noticed sunflowers featured here and there. Can anyone tell me why sunflowers are an autumn flower? I thought they bloomed in summer... I would LOVE to use sunflowers (since they're one of the few flowers I can pipe ha ha) on my T-day cake, but I know my family will ask me to explain it.

We're not the only ones who do it: http://www.teleflora.com/flowers/autumn-bouquets/sunflowers-108861_118956c.asp

Anyhow, if you're worried about using sunflowers, what about gerbera daisies? If you can pipe a sunflower then with different colors you should be able to pipe a gerbera daisy.

They bloom in the summer and last through late summer, the seed heads usually ripen in fall, so thats when they are harvested. Plus they are a nice fall color.

Decorate your cake with gumpaste turds and it'll give 'em something to really talk about.