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There's a giant lurking in Forest Oaks.

Goliath? Not hardly. To Godzilla, it would be nothing more than a snack.

But standing at an estimated 11 feet tall, "Pimpong's Unique Sunflower" is becoming the talk of the neighborhood.

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It's the Rev. Albert K. Som-Pimpong's "miracle" plant, courtesy of one ambitious seed and a lots of love and attention.

The Ghana native decided to plant sunflowers for the first time this April, joining the trend started by several of his neighbors. But dry conditions this summer left him expecting the worst for his seedling.

"I had it in my heart not to use any chemicals on my plants," Pimpong said. "I kept watering it and, lo and behold, it grew to become a giant. That one kept growing and growing and growing!"

The plant has drawn notice from several of his neighbors, with many making special trips to gape at its stature.

Pimpong had hopes of submitting the plant for consideration in the Guinness Book of World Records. But he learned that the world's tallest sunflower was 25 feet 5 inches tall, grown in the Netherlands in 1986.

"I don't know if he used any chemicals. If he used fertilizers, I might stand a chance," Pimpong joked. "Maybe we can create a Greensboro Book of Records."

According to research by The Ohio State University Extension Service, certain sunflower species commonly average 10 to 12 feet tall.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7157 or rseals@news-record.com