I used to completely avoid growing white flowers in my gardens. My thinking changed a bit a number of years ago when I realized white flowers made the richer more saturated color blossoms I really preferred look so much better. It was only when I started growing the annual COSMOS (var.- 'Picotee') seen here that I truly started to appreciate how lovely white flowers could be.

In the language of flowers, COSMOS represent peace and order. The word itself is derived from a Greek word meaning 'harmony' or 'balanced universe' and was said to have been given to this flower by Spanish priests in Mexico who grew them in their mission gardens. The priests reportedly felt that because of their symmetrically aligned petals these flowers were analogous to an 'ordered universe.' When given as a gift, they express joy in love and life.

In the image seen here (another night-time photo) I was striving to show two things.....the unusual (for COSMOS) tubular construction of the petals as well as their satin-like quality. While these flowers are pretty enough in my day-time gardens it is at night that they truly shine.