Selfish people don’t plant flowers.

The vibrant colors that break the monotony of the landscape are shared with all who pass their way. From a purely practical standpoint, there’s little value in planting flowers beyond how it makes you feel.

The gratification that comes from planting and tending something that blooms into a burst of color is a creation that is shared with every stranger, bee and bird that passes by.

When you plant flowers, you are providing a public service to your neighborhood.

If you have driven past the 100 block of Second Avenue North – roughly across from the Hitch Lot Farmers Market pavilion – lately, you may have seen a perfect example of this. Bob and Kathryn Phillips have grown a field of zinnias on a roughly half-acre lot, mostly for the enjoyment of their neighbors, although it serves another purpose. Their 9-year-old son, Gunter, will sell bunches of zinnias as his introduction to the working world.

Nine years ago, Matt Brignac, a Lowndes County farmer, decided to plant zinnias on three acres of his land that wasn’t very good for cultivating. It was a surprising sight surrounded as it was by miles of farmland and forests. The field of zinnias among all that farmland was a pleasant contrast for those driving along Artesia Road.

Zinnias are sturdy flowers that require little care beyond what nature provides, which makes them a perfect way to create beauty with minimum effort. They are hardly the only flowers that brighten our world, though.

A guerrilla gardener has planted flowers along the side of The Dispatch building for years. The Greek Orthodox Church on Fourth Avenue North has beautiful beds.

For years, the Master Gardeners have used their expertise to add color around the downtown post office, create a Butterfly Garden and help provide holiday and seasonal decorations at the intersection of Fifth Street and Main. Each season, we look forward to their new holiday/seasonal offerings.

About 15 years ago, Deborah Mansfield painted a mural on the Cash-n-Carry building in West Point. Since then murals have sprung up throughout the Golden Triangle, adding a whimsical, inviting vibe.

In 2019, Main Street Columbus solicited local artists to apply their talents to painting the utility boxes that were scattered throughout downtown. One by one, these gray metal boxes were transformed into works of art, each a unique expression of the artist’s creativity. What were once ugly gray metal boxes are now art, further enhancing our downtown for both residents and visitors alike.

Each of these efforts is visual evidence of the shared pride and optimism we have for our community.

What a bland place it would be without their efforts.

These efforts, taken together, demonstrate that beautification is far more than a simple aesthetic improvement; it is a catalyst for community transformation. When one person chooses to plant a field of zinnias or transform a utility box into a canvas, they set off a ripple effect of inspiration that extends well beyond their own property lines. Such thoughtful gestures encourage every resident to seek out and cultivate beauty in their own corners of the world, gradually weaving a stronger tapestry of shared pride and optimism. Ultimately, these acts of kindness and creativity foster a deeper sense of connection, reminding us that our community is a place we all shape and cherish together.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.