Tales to Astonish (1959) 13

Marigolds and Daffodils are the flowers of March and today is National Plant a Flower Day, but the miracle of Mother Nature we’re celebrating is of a stouter nature.

For all the Guardians of the Galaxy fans and those of Groot in particular, today is your day. Groot is our poster child for National Plant a Flower Day.

While most know the anthropmorized woody perennial as a lovable sapling reeking CGI havoc on the big screen, he began as a one-and-done extraterrestrial villain created by Stan Lee, Larry Leiber and Jack Kirby.

Tales to Astonish (1959) 13

The Flora colossus hailed from Planet X. Groot was sent to Earth as part of an invasion force to capture humans for experimentation. In 1950’s BEM fashion, he was defeated with the help of – honestly – termites.

Groot would return to the Marvel U in 2006 as a hero in Annihilation Conquest. Following the crossover, Groot was inducted into the spin-off revival of Guardians of the Galaxy.

While given new life, he was also given a new origin. Rather than part of a blood-thirsty race of space trees, Groot was now the victim. As the last remaining member of the Flora colossi, Groot was a prisoner of the Kree. He would escape with the help of Star Lord with whom he joined forces.

When Marvel and Walt Disney studios released Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, the public’s response was overwhelming. The movie netted $333.7 million on the United States alone and an estimated $773.3 million worldwide. It’s sequel, Vol. 2, earned $863.8 million worldwide.

As with so many non-holidays, National Plant a Flower Day’s origins are muddy. Rather than dig for the roots of the day, enjoy what God as wrought and add to the color of the season with your vegetation of choice.