Antonio Jose Cavanilles started his career as a botanical illustrator and taxonomist. He drew, named, and catalogued specimens brought back to Spain by explorers and collectors. In his last years, he served as the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Madrid. Senor Cavanilles named these Central American native plants Cosmos meaning the universe, orderliness, and hence, beauty.

Two years ago, Judy came home from work with a gift from an elderly patient. The woman had started seed from her garden for Judy's garden--twelve rather scraggy plants with a few yellow and orange blossoms. Her patient had said they were for her butterflies.

Although, I have been gardening for the better part of my life, I have never had Cosmos in my garden. Judy tucked six into my butterfly garden and six into hers. They bloomed every day until winter. Somehow, I do not think I will ever want a garden without Cosmos again.