Why I plant Orange Tithonias

Photographs by Martha Nance

Martha Nance is a physician in Minnesota and lover of (some) small living things. Images of bees and monarchs and hummingbirds fill her thoughts each spring when she plants humble little tithonia seeds in the garden. It is hard to believe that the recently snow-covered and (in April) naked brown earth will, by September, be graced by 6 foot plants with bright ORANGE flowers so irresistible to small wing-bearing visitors. But is nice to dream about. Planting seeds is an act of optimism and hope. These pictures were taken in three different years. Dreams come true!